Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sprint encroaches on AT&T markets for first LTE upgrades: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/sprint-first-lte-markets-2012-atlanta-houston-dallas-san-antonio/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/sprint-first-lte-markets-2012-atlanta-houston-dallas-san-antonio/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/sprint-first-lte-markets-2012-atlanta-houston-dallas-san-antonio/#comments We knew good and well that Sprint was placing its future network bets on LTE, but up until now, we had no idea who would get first dibs. Sprint's own Dan Hesse just cleared up a quip that he gave to us back in July of 2011, noting that Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio would be first to get "4G LTE and 3G network upgrades by mid-2012," just in time for the first Sprint LTE phones to take advantage. If you're thinking those cities sound familiar, you're right; AT&T Mobility is headquartered in the ATL, and all three of those Texas communities were high on AT&T's list of launch markets, too. Here's hoping we hear of a few more markets in the run-up to Mobile World Congress in February....

Update: Sprint has just issued a proper release on the news (it's embedded after the break), with the key snippet as follows: "The launch of these metropolitan areas marks the next step in the company's overall network strategy, also known as Network Vision. Sprint customers can expect to enjoy ultra-fast data speeds, improved 3G voice and data quality, and stronger in-building signal penetration providing a more reliable wireless experience."

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Sprint encroaches on AT&T markets for first LTE upgrades: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio

Sprint encroaches on AT&T markets for first LTE upgrades: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g4g lte4gLteatlantabreaking newsdallasgeorgiahoustonltemobilepostcrosssan antonioSanAntoniotexaswimaxThu, 05 Jan 2012 16:11:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T flips 4G LTE live, nearly 97 percent of America wonders where the party is]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/atandt-flips-lte-live-nearly-97-percent-of-america-wonders-where/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/atandt-flips-lte-live-nearly-97-percent-of-america-wonders-where/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/18/atandt-flips-lte-live-nearly-97-percent-of-america-wonders-where/#comments According to Ma Bell, AT&T covers 97 percent of all Americans. Of course, that's including those "one bar of EDGE" places that are uncovered so far as reality's concerned, but regardless of all that -- there's no denying that AT&T's LTE launch is on the subdued side. With Verizon rolling out five times more LTE markets this month than AT&T is even launching with, the country's largest GSM carrier definitely has some catching up to do. Regardless of the standings, the company appears to have (quietly) gone live with five LTE markets as of today, with Chicago, Atlanta, San Antonio, Dallas / Fort Worth and Houston getting first dibs. The source link below takes you to the new coverage map, as well as to a promise from the carrier to expand "4G LTE" (not to be confused with the other 4G, more accurately known as HSPA+) to 15 major metropolitan areas by the year's end. Notice how rural areas aren't mentioned, despite plenty of grandstanding near D.C.? Don't worry, guys -- it's just Rethinking Possible.

[Thanks, Marcus]

AT&T flips 4G LTE live, nearly 97 percent of America wonders where the party is originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g4g lte4gLteatlantaattcarrierchicagodallasdfwexpansionfort worthFortWorthgeorgiahoustonltemobilepostcrosssan antonioSanAntoniotexasSun, 18 Sep 2011 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Robots learn to march / spell, still not capable of love (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/07/robots-learn-to-march-spell-still-not-capable-of-love-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/07/robots-learn-to-march-spell-still-not-capable-of-love-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/07/robots-learn-to-march-spell-still-not-capable-of-love-video/#comments Here's hoping there's more than a few military-style marches standing between us and a complete robotic takeover. If not, we've got some dire news: these are not simply miniature Roombas as they may appear, but 15 so-called Khepera bots capable of spelling out GRITS (for Georgia Robotics and Intelligent Systems) to demonstrate grad student Edward Macdonald's Master's thesis for the department. The diminutive robots aren't told where to go in the letters -- instead, they determine their spots via a control algorithm, positioning themselves relative to their fellow rolling machines, so that if one is removed from the equation, they quickly reform the letter without it. Fortunately, they haven't learned to spell "KILL." Yet. Get to know your new robotic overlords a little bit better in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Ted]

Continue reading Robots learn to march / spell, still not capable of love (video)

Robots learn to march / spell, still not capable of love (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 May 2011 05:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Edward McdonaldEdwardMcdonaldGeorgiaGeorgia Robotics and Intelligent Systemsgeorgia techGeorgiaRoboticsAndIntelligentSystemsGeorgiaTechgritskheperakhepera robotKheperaRobotMastersDegreerobotRobotApocalypsethesisvideoSat, 07 May 2011 05:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Elderly Georgian lady disconnects Armenian internet for half a day... by accident]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/06/elderly-georgian-lady-disconnects-armenian-internet-for-half-a-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/06/elderly-georgian-lady-disconnects-armenian-internet-for-half-a-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/06/elderly-georgian-lady-disconnects-armenian-internet-for-half-a-d/#comments A 75-year old lady from Georgia (the country, not the state) has perpetrated an impressive feat of international sabotage in what seems to have been an accident of extremely bad luck. While foraging for copper wire near her home in the village of Ksani, the unnamed septuagenarian managed to come across a critical fiber optic cable, one responsible for serving internet connectivity to "90 percent of private and corporate internet users in Armenia" and some in her own country as well. Her swift strike at the heart of said bit-transferring pipeline resulted in all those folks being thrown offline for a solid 12 hours, while the Georgian Railway Telecom worked to find and correct the fault. In spite of her relatively benign motivations, the lady now faces three years in prison for the damage she caused. We'd say all's well that ends well, but this doesn't actually seem like a very happy ending at all.

Elderly Georgian lady disconnects Armenian internet for half a day... by accident originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentarmeniacablescablingcopperelderlyfiber opticFiberOpticgeorgiageorgian railway telecomGeorgianRailwayTelecominternationalinternetmetalsabotagescavengescavengingscrapscrap metalScrapMetalwirewiringWed, 06 Apr 2011 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[T-Mobile service down through much of the Southeast this morning]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/t-mobile-service-down-through-much-of-the-southeast-this-morning/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/t-mobile-service-down-through-much-of-the-southeast-this-morning/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/t-mobile-service-down-through-much-of-the-southeast-this-morning/#commentsWe're getting a few reports this morning that T-Mobile customers through the nation's Southeast have been suffering an outage, and a thread going on the carrier's official forums corroborates the story. It seems that phones attached to both 2G and 3G services throughout much of Florida, Georgia (including Atlanta), Tennessee, and the Carolinas have been affected since the wee hours to some extent; as far as we can tell, service is starting to come back online in some parts, but for others, inbound callers are getting "circuits busy" messages. What's everyone seeing out there?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

T-Mobile service down through much of the Southeast this morning originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantafloridageorgiamobileoutageserviceservice outageServiceOutaget-mobiletennesseeMon, 29 Mar 2010 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Livescribe Pulse Smartpen records heated Delta / airport conversation, leads to chaos]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/21/livescribe-pulse-smartpen-records-heated-delta-airport-convers/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/21/livescribe-pulse-smartpen-records-heated-delta-airport-convers/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/21/livescribe-pulse-smartpen-records-heated-delta-airport-convers/#commentsWhoa, Nelly! Talk about a whale of a story. Ben DeCosta, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport's general manager, loves gadgets. So much, in fact, that he purchased a Livescribe Pulse Smartpen, which is capable of recording audio onto its 4GB of internal storage space. While details on the story remain murky (disputed by both sides, actually), it's fairly clear that Ben and Delta didn't exactly see eye-to-eye on everything. To that end, Mr. DeCosta figured he could flip the recorder on during a private conversation between airline executives and personnel from the city of Atlanta, and now the whole thing seems to have backfired. Ben maintains that he didn't intend to record Delta's negotiations, and he even went so far as to suggest that Delta stole his pen in order to discredit him. In the end, the city's investigation found that there was "insufficient evidence that DeCosta intentionally sought to record the private conversations of Delta's team," but that's not stopping Ben from retiring when his contract expires in June. Hit the source link below for the whole drama-filled thing, but unfortunately, the discussions held on the pen have yet to leak. TMZ -- you on that, or what?

Livescribe Pulse Smartpen records heated Delta / airport conversation, leads to chaos originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairportatlantaconflictDeltafightgeorgiaHartsfield-JacksonillegallivescribeLivescribe Pulse SmartpenLivescribePulseSmartpenpenpulsesmartsmartpenSun, 21 Feb 2010 21:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint now reselling WiMAX in Atlanta, Portland and Las Vegas]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/17/sprint-now-reselling-wimax-in-atlanta-portland-and-las-vegas/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/17/sprint-now-reselling-wimax-in-atlanta-portland-and-las-vegas/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/17/sprint-now-reselling-wimax-in-atlanta-portland-and-las-vegas/#comments
Atlanta, Portland and Las Vegas have been lit with Clearwire's CLEAR WiMAX for varying lengths of time now, but throw a Sprint label on there and you've got a whole new party to attend. In what's easily one of the stranger partner relationships in the business world today, Sprint has just announced that it's reselling 4G services in a trio of markets that have actually had the service for months / weeks / days now. So yeah, nothing really new here -- it's the same 4G waves that Clearwire customers have been enjoying for awhile, but if you're more comfortable waltzing into a carrier store, now's your chance. We'll leave you to the read links below for the specifics, but here's the long and short of it: if you've got a 4G-capable device, you can add WiMAX to your plan for an extra $10 per month on top of your 3G data plan.

Read - Las Vegas
Read - Portland
Read - Atlanta

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Sprint now reselling WiMAX in Atlanta, Portland and Las Vegas originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gatlantaclearwiregeorgialas vegasLasVegasnevadaoregonportlandspring 4gSpring4gsprintwimaxwirelessxohmMon, 17 Aug 2009 17:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaked Sprint WiMAX roadmap names new cities for 2009 rollout]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/01/leaked-sprint-wimax-roadmap-names-new-cities-for-2009-rollout/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/01/leaked-sprint-wimax-roadmap-names-new-cities-for-2009-rollout/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/01/leaked-sprint-wimax-roadmap-names-new-cities-for-2009-rollout/#comments Well, what do we have here? One of our readers sent us a screenshot from Sprint's Sales Portal that included the above roadmap for its WiMAX rollout this year. A number of the yet-to-be-launched cities we've already heard about -- Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Charlotte -- but to the best of our knowledge, the rest of them are brand new entries. Additionally, Baltimore residents can look forward to some sort of coverage update in the fourth quarter. We'd be lying if we said we weren't jealous that Salem (population 3,000) and Milledgeville (population 19,000) are getting the wireless network before most of us on staff, but the service has to start somewhere, right? No indication here of 2010 plans, but last we heard that included Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Update: As tipster Carlos points out, Clearwire's website already has some coverage maps for some of the cities listed in the third quarter, as well as some markets not listed here.

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Leaked Sprint WiMAX roadmap names new cities for 2009 rollout originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gaustinaustin texasAustinTexasbaltimorebaltimore marylandBaltimoreMarylandbellinghambellingham wabellingham washingtonBellinghamWaBellinghamWashingtonboiseboise idahoBoiseIdahogeorgiagreensborogreensboro north carolinaGreensboroNorthCarolinaidaholeakleaksmarylandmilledgevillemilledgeville georgiaMilledgevilleGeorgianorth carolinaNorthCarolinarumorrumorssalemsalem north carolinaSalemNorthCarolinasan antoniosan antonio texasSanAntonioSanAntonioTexassprintsprint nextellSprintNextelltexaswashingtonwest texasWestTexaswimaxwirelessSat, 01 Aug 2009 17:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaked Sprint WiMAX roadmap names new cities for 2009 rollout]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/01/leaked-sprint-wimax-roadmap-names-new-cities-for-2009-rollout/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/01/leaked-sprint-wimax-roadmap-names-new-cities-for-2009-rollout/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/01/leaked-sprint-wimax-roadmap-names-new-cities-for-2009-rollout/#comments Well, what do we have here? One of our readers sent us a screenshot from Sprint's Sales Portal that included the above roadmap for its WiMAX rollout this year. A number of the yet-to-be-launched cities we've already heard about -- Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Charlotte -- but to the best of our knowledge, the rest of them are brand new entries. Additionally, Baltimore residents can look forward to some sort of coverage update in the fourth quarter. We'd be lying if we said we weren't jealous that Salem (population 3,000) and Milledgeville (population 19,000) are getting the wireless network before most of us on staff, but the service has to start somewhere, right? No indication here of 2010 plans, but last we heard that included Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Update: As tipster Carlos points out, Clearwire's website already has some coverage maps for some of the cities listed in the third quarter, as well as some markets not listed here.

Filed under: ,

Leaked Sprint WiMAX roadmap names new cities for 2009 rollout originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gaustinaustin texasAustinTexasbaltimorebaltimore marylandBaltimoreMarylandbellinghambellingham wabellingham washingtonBellinghamWaBellinghamWashingtonboiseboise idahoBoiseIdahogeorgiagreensborogreensboro north carolinaGreensboroNorthCarolinaidaholeakleaksmarylandmilledgevillemilledgeville georgiaMilledgevilleGeorgiamobilenorth carolinaNorthCarolinarumorrumorssalemsalem north carolinaSalemNorthCarolinasan antoniosan antonio texasSanAntonioSanAntonioTexassprintsprint nextellSprintNextelltexaswashingtonwest texasWestTexaswimaxwirelessSat, 01 Aug 2009 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Clearwire's WiMAX ordained with official Atlanta launch]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/16/clearwires-wimax-ordained-with-official-atlanta-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/16/clearwires-wimax-ordained-with-official-atlanta-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/16/clearwires-wimax-ordained-with-official-atlanta-launch/#comments Sure, Clearwire has actually been running its WiMAX network in Atlanta for six weeks already, but that technicality isn't stopping the company from deciding now is the time to "launch" the service in the metro area, with an appropriately-sized marketing blitz to boot. Portland travelers already using the service should feel at home now with their own personal 4G network to keep them company while they engorge on the recommended dosage of Chik-Fil-A sandwiches and Varsity chili dogs. Prices are identical to what we've already heard and, yes, even though the company just quietly launched the service in Las Vegas, expect to see the delayed red carpet rollout for that city sometime later this Summer.

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Clearwire's WiMAX ordained with official Atlanta launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gatlantaclearclear spotclear wireClearSpotclearwireclearwire clear spotclearwire corpClearwireClearSpotClearwireCorpgeorgiamobilemobile broadbandmobile internetMobileBroadbandMobileInternetwimaxTue, 16 Jun 2009 03:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Clearwire's WiMAX ordained with official Atlanta launch]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/16/clearwires-wimax-ordained-with-official-atlanta-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/16/clearwires-wimax-ordained-with-official-atlanta-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/16/clearwires-wimax-ordained-with-official-atlanta-launch/#comments Sure, Clearwire has actually been running its WiMAX network in Atlanta for six weeks already, but that technicality isn't stopping the company from deciding now is the time to "launch" the service in the metro area, with an appropriately-sized marketing blitz to boot. Portland travelers already using the service should feel at home now with their own personal 4G network to keep them company while they engorge on the recommended dosage of Chik-Fil-A sandwiches and Varsity chili dogs. Prices are identical to what we've already heard and, yes, even though the company just quietly launched the service in Las Vegas, expect to see the delayed red carpet rollout for that city sometime later this Summer.

Filed under:

Clearwire's WiMAX ordained with official Atlanta launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gatlantaclearclear spotclear wireClearSpotclearwireclearwire clear spotclearwire corpClearwireClearSpotClearwireCorpgeorgiamobilemobile broadbandmobile internetMobileBroadbandMobileInternetwimaxTue, 16 Jun 2009 02:21:00 EST<![CDATA[LG's dumbphone haul for AT&T: Shine 2, "Georgia," and something else?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/lgs-dumbphone-haul-for-atandt-shine-2-georgia-and-something/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/lgs-dumbphone-haul-for-atandt-shine-2-georgia-and-something/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/lgs-dumbphone-haul-for-atandt-shine-2-georgia-and-something/#comments It should come as no surprise that AT&T would be eager to replace one of its more popular, longer-lasting dumbphone staples with more modern hardware that retains the original's major selling points -- so when we found documentation backing up an earlier rumor that there was a Shine 2 in the works for later this year, we didn't bat an eye. Specs on this one should include a 2.2-inch QVGA display, 2 megapixel fixed focus cam, Bluetooth 2.1, microSD expansion, and 3.6Mbps HSDPA. We've got a tiny picture of this sucker in the gallery below, but it came equipped with a big "TBD" over the top of it (which we removed), so we're skeptical that this is the final ID of the device. Moving on, the "Georgia" -- pictured above -- is a slightly higher-end slider with a 2.8-inch wide QVGA display, accelerometer, 3 megapixel camera, and MediaFLO support. We're actually more curious about the phone that was clipped out of the shot to the left, though; the little snippet you see here is all we have, and we don't have any documentation to suggest whether it's coming to AT&T. Any juicy guesses?

Update: We've had a couple folks point out now that the Shine 2 appears to be a picture of the KF510. Whether the actual device will really be a branded, North American KF510 is unclear (we're still wondering about that "TBD" that had been slapped on there). Thanks, everyone!

Gallery: LG's dumbphone haul for AT&T: Shine 2, "Georgia," and something else?


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LG's dumbphone haul for AT&T: Shine 2, "Georgia," and something else? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atandtattedgefeaturesgeorgiagsmhsdpalgmediaflomobileshine 2Shine2sliderumtsTue, 26 May 2009 15:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Atlanta's CBS affiliate transitions newscasts to high-definition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/13/atlantas-cbs-affiliate-transitions-newscasts-to-high-definition/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/13/atlantas-cbs-affiliate-transitions-newscasts-to-high-definition/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/13/atlantas-cbs-affiliate-transitions-newscasts-to-high-definition/#comments
Hotlanta may be feeling the chill of winter right about now, but those looking for one more choice when it comes to watching the evening news in high-def can rejoice. As of this week, the region's CBS affiliate (WGCL) has converted its newscasts to HD, making it the third in Atlanta, Georgia to do so. Also of note, the CBS 46 branding has been trashed in favor of the altogether lovely CBS Atlanta logo you see above, and for those keeping inventory, FOX's WAGA now sits as the only local in the area not broadcasting news in high-definition. Anyone willing to wager that changes soon?

[Thanks, Eric]

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Atlanta's CBS affiliate transitions newscasts to high-definition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantacbsdaytimegeorgiahdhd newshd newscastHdNewsHdNewscastnewsnewscastprimetimeTue, 13 Jan 2009 23:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Comcast adds E!, Toon and Travel Channel HD in Augusta, Georgia]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/19/comcast-adds-e-toon-and-travel-channel-hd-in-augusta-georgia/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/19/comcast-adds-e-toon-and-travel-channel-hd-in-augusta-georgia/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/19/comcast-adds-e-toon-and-travel-channel-hd-in-augusta-georgia/#commentsAugusta just picked up three from Comcast in late October, and now the famed Georgia town has another three to mount up on its wall. As the wave of expansion continues, Augusta has been struck with E! HD, Toon HD and Travel Channel HD. Any guesses where Comcast will strike next?

[Thanks, Caleb]

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Comcast adds E!, Toon and Travel Channel HD in Augusta, Georgia originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Augustacablechannelchannelscomcastgeorgiahdlineupnew contentnewcontentFri, 19 Dec 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[DirecTV lights up HD locals in six new markets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/08/directv-lights-up-hd-locals-in-six-new-markets/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/08/directv-lights-up-hd-locals-in-six-new-markets/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/08/directv-lights-up-hd-locals-in-six-new-markets/#commentsDirecTV's a few months behind on finishing up its summer HD locals expansion, but we're pretty sure subscribers in six new markets are willing to forgive the delay now that their favorite broadcast networks are in shining high-def. As of now, customers in Boise, Idaho; Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas; Macon, Georgia; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Traverse City-Cadillac, Michigan; and Fort Smith, Arkansas can tap into HD locals via DirecTV, and the satcaster can now claim that over 86% of US households are within range of 'em.

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DirecTV lights up HD locals in six new markets originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abcboiseBrownsvillecbsDirecTVfoxgeorgiaHarlingenhdhd localsHdLocalsidahomaconMcAllenmichigannbcsatelliteSioux FallsSiouxFallssouth dakotaSouthDakotatexasTraverse CityTraverseCityWeslacoSat, 08 Nov 2008 07:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Comcast adds FX, FOX News and SPEED HD in Augusta, Georgia ]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/28/comcast-adds-fx-fox-news-and-speed-hd-in-augusta-georgia/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/28/comcast-adds-fx-fox-news-and-speed-hd-in-augusta-georgia/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/28/comcast-adds-fx-fox-news-and-speed-hd-in-augusta-georgia/#commentsWith the weather growing a bit too chilly for golf in Augusta, wouldn't you say it's about time you stayed in for the night and caught some HDTV? Comcast sure thinks so, evidenced by the fresh trio of high-def channels that it beamed up to the aforesaid region over the weekend. As of now, Augusta-area subscribers can check out FOX News Channel HD, SPEED HD and FX HD, which ought to keep you occupied for at least a week or two.

[Thanks, Caleb]

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Comcast adds FX, FOX News and SPEED HD in Augusta, Georgia originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augustacablechannelchannelscomcastgeorgiahdlineupnew contentnewcontentsportsTue, 28 Oct 2008 08:25:00 EST<![CDATA[DirecTV uncorks HD locals in Springfield-Holyoke, MA / Savannah, GA]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/directv-uncorks-hd-locals-in-springfield-holyoke-ma-savannah/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/directv-uncorks-hd-locals-in-springfield-holyoke-ma-savannah/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/directv-uncorks-hd-locals-in-springfield-holyoke-ma-savannah/#commentsNow that we've officially hit fall here in the US of A, we suppose DirecTV should revamp is HD rollout plans to include this season. Nevertheless, the satcaster is slowly but surely wrapping up its summer plans by bringing HD locals to the Springfield-Holyoke, Massachusetts and Savannah, Georgia DMAs. Both markets can now tune into their local CBS, NBC and ABC affiliates in HD, though FOX was strangely omitted for both. Hope you weren't looking forward to the World Series in high-def or anything...

Read - Springfield-Holyoke, MA rollout
Read - Savannah, Georgia

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DirecTV uncorks HD locals in Springfield-Holyoke, MA / Savannah, GA originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>directvgeorgiahdhd localsHdLocalsHolyokemassachusettssatelliteSavannahSpringfieldWed, 01 Oct 2008 16:48:00 EST<![CDATA[DirecTV adds HD locals in Chattanooga, Augusta, Johnstown-Altoona]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/27/directv-adds-hd-locals-in-chattanooga-augusta-pennsylvania/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/27/directv-adds-hd-locals-in-chattanooga-augusta-pennsylvania/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/27/directv-adds-hd-locals-in-chattanooga-augusta-pennsylvania/#commentsComing right back is DirecTV, just a few days after activating HD locals in New York and Nebraska comes word that Johnstown-Altoona, PA, Chattanooga, TN and Augusta, GA are the latest in its 44 planned local rollouts this summer/fall. Better hurry DirecTV, the days are already getting shorter. Beyond the read links is the list of newly-added local networks, proceed with caution, or reckless abandon, it's pretty much the same to us either way.

Read - Johnstown-Altoona, Pa
Read - Chattanooga, Tenn
Read - Augusta, Ga

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DirecTV adds HD locals in Chattanooga, Augusta, Johnstown-Altoona originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augustachattanoogadirec tvDirecTvgeorgiahdhd localsHdLocalslocalsnew contentnewcontentpennsylvaniasatellitetennesseeWed, 27 Aug 2008 23:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Hargray Communications adds more HD in South Carolina and Georgia]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/hargray-communications-adds-more-hd-in-south-carolina-and-georgi/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/hargray-communications-adds-more-hd-in-south-carolina-and-georgi/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/hargray-communications-adds-more-hd-in-south-carolina-and-georgi/#commentsHargray customers in Bluffton, Beaufort, Hardeeville, Ridgeland and Pooler, Ga may feel like the heavens have opened up and delivered unto them a great bounty, as the number of HD channels has increased from nine to 29 including most of the usual suspects like ESPN2 HD, Food Network HD and TLC HD. Sure, it's not 100+, but it's a start. Unfortunately left out are Hilton Head Island and Sun City Hilton Head customers, where The Island Packet reports HD is still in the testing phases. Topping things off, the new channels don't come with a rate increase - as long as you've got HD service and equipment they should be on by Wednesday. Check after the break for a list of all 29 HD channels.

Continue reading Hargray Communications adds more HD in South Carolina and Georgia

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Hargray Communications adds more HD in South Carolina and Georgia originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cablegeorgiahargrayhdhilton headHiltonHeadhragray communicationsHragrayCommunicationsnew contentnewcontentsouth carolinaSouthCarolinaTue, 01 Jul 2008 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Columbus, Georgia's WLTZ debuts HD newscasts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/01/columbus-georgias-wltz-debuts-hd-newscasts/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/01/columbus-georgias-wltz-debuts-hd-newscasts/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/01/columbus-georgias-wltz-debuts-hd-newscasts/#commentsAfter hopping back in the local news game in November 2007 after a 14 year absence, WLTZ is out to show it means business. The Columbus, Georgia NBC affiliate has just announced that it will be delivering its local HD newscasts in high-definition from here on out, and according to Drew Rhodes, WLTZ general manager, the move "lends [the station] a lot of marketing credibility." In the Peach State, the only other broadcast networks with HD news are located in Atlanta, making this the first in the Chattahoochee Valley. Three HD news stations in all of Georgia -- what's up with that?

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Columbus, Georgia's WLTZ debuts HD newscasts originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>affiliateColumbusgeorgiahdhd newshd newscastHdNewsHdNewscastnbcnew contentnewcontentnewscastotaWLTZSun, 01 Jun 2008 15:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Comcast looking to sell outlying markets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/25/comcast-looking-to-sell-outlying-markets/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/25/comcast-looking-to-sell-outlying-markets/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/25/comcast-looking-to-sell-outlying-markets/#commentsComcastTimes are tough aoul over, and even cable giant Comcast isn't immune to a little tightening of the belt. Word coming out of Maine is that Comcast is looking to sell 46 of the markets on the outskirts of its footprint, mostly in Maine, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, Virginia, Georgia, West Virginia and California. The move is about more than just the monies that will be generated by selling off its subscriber eyeballs, though. At a going rate of $3,000 - $4,500 per subscriber, that's not an insignificant chunk of change, either. By geographically concentrating its service areas, it should be cheaper to deliver services, including the all-important "triple play." If you're affected by this selloff, we're hoping your HD lineup won't suffer for it.

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Comcast looking to sell outlying markets originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 May 2008 23:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cablecaliforniaComcastgeorgiahdkentuckylouisianamainenew mexicoNewMexicoselloffvirginiawest virginiaWestVirginiaSun, 25 May 2008 23:50:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T quietly enables 2HD / 2SD U-verse service in more cities]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/atandt-quietly-enables-2hd-2sd-u-verse-service-in-more-cities/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/atandt-quietly-enables-2hd-2sd-u-verse-service-in-more-cities/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/atandt-quietly-enables-2hd-2sd-u-verse-service-in-more-cities/#comments
Since activating dual HD streams in St. Louis earlier this month, AT&T has seemingly enabled the functionality in a handful of other cities without even an official peep. According to user reports stemming from Atlanta / Alpharetta, Georgia and certain sections of Michigan, they too are enjoying the luxury of recording one high-def program while viewing another live. We fully expect the carrier to spread the 2HD / 2SD service to more of the country here soon, but until it decides to open its own mouth, we'd highly recommend keeping an eye on your box for a certain surprise.

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AT&T quietly enables 2HD / 2SD U-verse service in more cities originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 May 2008 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2hd2hd 2sd2hd2sdAlpharettaatlantaattfibergeorgiahdhd dvrHdDvrmichiganu-verseuverseTue, 20 May 2008 15:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Comcast throws in AMC HD, TLC HD while it's down in Atlanta]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/30/comcast-throws-in-amc-hd-while-its-down-in-atlanta/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/30/comcast-throws-in-amc-hd-while-its-down-in-atlanta/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/30/comcast-throws-in-amc-hd-while-its-down-in-atlanta/#comments
Folks relying on Charter for their HD programming in Atlanta have had AMC HD for just under two months now, but based on user reports from the area (including Alpharetta), it seems as if Comcast is just now getting around to matching the offer. Shortly after introducing a trio of newcomers to the Peach State's capital, AMC HD and TLC HD have been tossed in late just for good measure. Unannounced, but very welcome.

[Thanks, Rusty and Tim]

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Comcast throws in AMC HD, TLC HD while it's down in Atlanta originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amcamc hdAmcHdatlantacablechannelcomcastexpansiongeorgiahdlineupnew contentnewcontentWed, 30 Apr 2008 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T expands U-verse service in Atlanta, Georgia]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/30/atandt-expands-u-verse-service-in-atlanta-georgia/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/30/atandt-expands-u-verse-service-in-atlanta-georgia/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/30/atandt-expands-u-verse-service-in-atlanta-georgia/#comments
Look out, Atlanta -- we know you're busy focusing on your hot-at-the-best-time Hawks, but it seems as if that U-verse trial launched in your city late last year went over stupendously well. Shortly after announcing that it surpassed the quarter-million subscriber mark during Q1 2008, the carrier has now announced that an undisclosed additional amount of Atlanta residents can now sign up for U-verse. Cited only as "expanded availability," AT&T is broadening the service in and around the city, and it's also noted that it plans on making it available to more domiciles throughout the area on an ongoing basis. One question, however, remains: When can we expect the service to spread en masse throughout the Southeast?

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AT&T expands U-verse service in Atlanta, Georgia originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attexpansionfibergeorgiahdu-verseWed, 30 Apr 2008 08:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Comcast brings Science, Disney and ABC Family HD channels to Atlanta]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/26/comcast-brings-science-disney-and-abc-family-hd-channels-to-atl/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/26/comcast-brings-science-disney-and-abc-family-hd-channels-to-atl/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/26/comcast-brings-science-disney-and-abc-family-hd-channels-to-atl/#commentsCommenters (Dustin, in particular) were quick to point out that Comcast's initial launch of Science, Disney and ABC Family HD didn't include Atlanta, but it seems as if Georgia's capital has finally garnered some respect and acquired the trio. Oh, and if your Comcast market has yet to pick 'em up, keep a close eye on that EPG -- it seems that they're making the rounds quite briskly.

[Thanks, Tim]

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Comcast brings Science, Disney and ABC Family HD channels to Atlanta originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantacablechannelchannelscomcastexpansiongeorgiahdlineupnew contentnewcontentSat, 26 Apr 2008 01:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Georgia's AMC Avenue Forsyth theater opens with Sony 4K projectors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/georgias-amc-avenue-forsyth-theater-opens-with-sony-4k-projecto/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/georgias-amc-avenue-forsyth-theater-opens-with-sony-4k-projecto/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/georgias-amc-avenue-forsyth-theater-opens-with-sony-4k-projecto/#commentsIt's been quite some time since we heard of a theater right here in the US of A opening up with 4K projectors tucked inside, but for residents of Cumming, Georgia, such a scenario is about to unfold in your town. The AMC Avenue Forsyth 12 will be the first all-digital theater in the area when it opens on May 16th, packing Sony 4K digital cinema projectors and two auditoriums with screens stretching over three stories high and 50-feet wide. In sum, the venue will boast a dozen auditoriums with over 2,220 seats with rocking-back chairs, and folks who make their way down on opening weekend will even get a free small popcorn with each (presumably overpriced) ticket. There, we made some plans for you -- hope you're available!

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Georgia's AMC Avenue Forsyth theater opens with Sony 4K projectors originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4kamcatlantacinemageorgiahdinstallationprojectionprojectorsonytheaterFri, 25 Apr 2008 22:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Charter unleashes bevy of HD channels in Atlanta, Georgia market]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/charter-unleashes-bevy-of-hd-channels-in-atlanta-georgia-market/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/charter-unleashes-bevy-of-hd-channels-in-atlanta-georgia-market/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/charter-unleashes-bevy-of-hd-channels-in-atlanta-georgia-market/#commentsNearly three months after Comcast spruced up its HD package in Georgia's capital city, along comes Charter attempting to keep pace. Thankfully, it really brought the heat with its latest update, which delivers Animal Planet HD, TLC HD, Discovery HD, Fuse HD, WE (Women's Entertainment) HD, iFC (Independent Film Channel) HD, AMC HD and The Weather Channel HD. Granted, we've seen nothing official from Charter affirming these additions, so for any subscribers in the greater Atlanta region, are you too seeing these newcomers?

[Thanks, Jim L.]

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Charter unleashes bevy of HD channels in Atlanta, Georgia market originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtlantacablechannelchannelscharterexpansionGeorgiahdlineupnew contentnewcontentWed, 05 Mar 2008 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Comcast spreads the HD love to more of Southeast]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/29/comcast-spreads-the-hd-love-to-more-of-southeast/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/29/comcast-spreads-the-hd-love-to-more-of-southeast/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/29/comcast-spreads-the-hd-love-to-more-of-southeast/#commentsGood news for Comcast users across the nation (and particularly for those in the Southeast): it seems the firm's recent HD expansion efforts are affecting more areas than just Washington, D.C. and South Carolina. Based on user reports originating in Jacksonville, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia, the channels added to the DC / SC lineups have made their way to the Peach and Sunshine states. For those needing a refresher, that includes USA HD, TLC HD, History Channel HD, Sci-Fi HD, CNN HD, Animal Planet HD and Discovery Channel HD. Additionally, it sounds as if ATLiens are also being blessed with Travel Channel HD, but we've nothing official to back that up with just yet. So, with more of the US getting all these newcomers, have any of you Comcast users in other locales seen additions in your EPG? Let's hear it!

[Thanks, Abby and Matthew P.]

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Comcast spreads the HD love to more of Southeast originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Dec 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantacablechannelchannelscomcastexpansionfloridageorgiahdjacksonvillelineupnew contentnewcontentSat, 29 Dec 2007 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[RoboCup 2007: let the games begin]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/04/robocup-2007-let-the-games-begin/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/04/robocup-2007-let-the-games-begin/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/04/robocup-2007-let-the-games-begin/#comments
While we weren't able to get a first-hand glimpse of the mayhem that is RoboCup this time around, a camera-wielding Georgia Tech graduate student was able to do the honors for us all, and snagged quite a bit of impressive footage from the expo. Many of the shots were snapped during yesterday's practice rounds as competitors prepped their gear for battle (which began yesterday), and we must say that the oh-so-athletic Junior Soccer League robots are worth the price of admission alone. Still, even if witnessing robotic contention in person isn't enough to drag you to Atlanta, be sure to click through to get a glimpse of homegrown robotic innovation at its finest.

Continue reading RoboCup 2007: let the games begin

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RoboCup 2007: let the games begin originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accatlantacompetitiongeorgiageorgia techGeorgiaTechgthands-onpicspicturepicturesrobocuprobocup 2007Robocup2007snapshotsvideoWed, 04 Jul 2007 08:55:00 EST<![CDATA[FIRST Robotics champion crowned, Dean Kamen elated]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/17/first-robotics-champion-crowned-dean-kamen-elated/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/17/first-robotics-champion-crowned-dean-kamen-elated/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/17/first-robotics-champion-crowned-dean-kamen-elated/#commentsTossing up autonomous robots into the galaxy to perform a variety of prototypical tests is intriguing to say the least, but a trio of high-school teams were able to bring robotic competition a bit closer to home as they took home the gold in the highly-anticipated FIRST Robotics corrivalry. Cooked up by Dean Kamen (you know, the Segway inventor) in 1989, the challenge garnered entrants from a whopping 23 countries this year, and teammates from Bobcat Robotics from South Windsor, Connecticut, Highrollers from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Gompei and the HERD from Worcester, Massachusetts were able to craft the most dexterous and successful machine. Their creation reportedly excelled at "completing simple -- albeit goofy -- tasks such as shooting balls or stacking inner tubes," but we can already imagine the evil potential these innocent bots already posses. Apparently, "thousands of screaming high-school participants" were in attendance to witness the unveiling of a new champion, and if the popularity of this contest is any indication, we could be seeing these uber-intelligent, entirely autonomous robot armies being constructed an awful lot sooner than previously expected hoped.

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FIRST Robotics champion crowned, Dean Kamen elated originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantaautonomousawardawardsceremonyConnecticutDean KamenDeanKamenFIRST roboticsFirstRoboticsgeorgiaHypnobotsMassachusettsnevadasuper bowlSuper Bowl of SmartsSuperBowlSuperBowlOfSmartswinnerTue, 17 Apr 2007 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Feds eschew e-voting paper trail for the status quo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/06/feds-eschew-e-voting-paper-trail-for-the-status-quo/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/06/feds-eschew-e-voting-paper-trail-for-the-status-quo/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/06/feds-eschew-e-voting-paper-trail-for-the-status-quo/#commentsRemember that recommendation that we expected to see come out of the National Institute of Standards and Technology pretty soon -- you know, the one that would de-certify all those fundamentally flawed direct record electronic voting machines? Well, we apparently spoke too soon, as The Washington Post now reports that the recommendation didn't even make it out of committee. The Technical Guidelines Development Committee, a section within NIST that advises the US Election Assistance Committee, failed to reach the 8 votes necessary to pass the decertification measure. Seriously. Why didn't this blindingly obvious recommendation pass? Well, it's not entirely clear, but committee member Brit Williams, a computer scientist who certified Georgia's electronic voting system (we all know how well that went), said "You are talking about basically a re-installation of the entire voting system hardware." Um, dude, last we checked, if something's broke, you gotta fix it. Seriously, when was the last time you heard about a computer scientist that went out of his or her way to avoid fixing a system they installed? Don't answer that.

[Via Techdirt]

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Feds eschew e-voting paper trail for the status quo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Dec 2006 05:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brit williamsBritWilliamse-democracye-votingelectionsgeorgianisttechnical guidelines development committeeTechnicalGuidelinesDevelopmentCommitteevotingWed, 06 Dec 2006 05:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Slingbox Pro and Tuner to be released October 22?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/26/slingbox-pro-and-tuner-to-be-released-october-22/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/26/slingbox-pro-and-tuner-to-be-released-october-22/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/26/slingbox-pro-and-tuner-to-be-released-october-22/#comments While you've seen the first round of Slingbox photos that we posted in the wee hours this morning, more details are starting to emerge, namely that the Slingbox Pro and Tuner versions will be released on October 22. We got this luscious piece of intel from a devoted Sling fan who acquired it after spotting the AV at a Best Buy in Augusta, Georgia, and then subsequently grilled the staff on the availability of the Pro and Tuner. As we mentioned previously, the FCC confidentiality agreement lifts on September 28, so perhaps this new release date is what we should be expecting from Blake & Co.?

[Thanks, Dennis]

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Slingbox Pro and Tuner to be released October 22? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Sep 2006 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augustabreaking newsBreakingNewsfccgeorgiaslingslingboxslingbox avslingbox proslingbox tunerSlingboxAvSlingboxProSlingboxTunerTue, 26 Sep 2006 14:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Rolling Stone interviews a Diebold whistleblower]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/24/rolling-stone-interviews-a-diebold-whistleblower/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/24/rolling-stone-interviews-a-diebold-whistleblower/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/24/rolling-stone-interviews-a-diebold-whistleblower/#commentsIn what is perhaps the most astonishing turn of events in the ongoing Diebold fiasco, a new article in the latest issue of Rolling Stone -- with extensive information direct from a named former company consultant -- makes one of the most damning cases against the embattled company. The article weaves an elaborate tale of how Diebold had at the very least some extremely skeezy deals signed in 2002 with the state of Georgia, which allowed Diebold to replace all existing voting equipment, and to speed things up by the fall election: "The company was authorized to put together ballots, program machines and train poll workers across the state - all without any official supervision." As if that weren't enough, days before the primaries, the president of Diebold's election unit, Bob Urosevich, personally distributed a patch to the elections software. The article goes on: "Georgia law mandates that any change made in voting machines be certified by the state. But thanks to Cox's [Georgia's Secretary of State] agreement with Diebold, the company was essentially allowed to certify itself." Before the election, the two Democratic candidates in the two major races (for one Senate seat and the state governorship) had been ahead in the polls, and on Election Day, Republicans won the two races by a slim margin -- and given that no paper trail exists there is no way to prove or disprove that the election wasn't tampered with in some way. And you wonder why we continue to insist on paper ballots for the time being?

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Rolling Stone interviews a Diebold whistleblower originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Sep 2006 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob urosevichBobUrosevichdemocracydieboldelectronic votingElectronicVotingevotinggeorgiahacking democracyHackingDemocracyrolling stoneRollingStoneSun, 24 Sep 2006 01:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Biometrics come to lunch lady land]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/biometrics-come-to-lunch-lady-land/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/biometrics-come-to-lunch-lady-land/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/biometrics-come-to-lunch-lady-land/#commentsSince today's children will inevitably grow up to be tomorrow's criminals, what better way to get their fingerprints on file than by using biometrics as a payment method for those delicious, nutritious school lunches? Lunch has certainly gotten a lot more high-tech since the days when we were students (you used to be able to fill up on Tastycakes and chips -- no MealPayPlus to ruin your atrocious dietary regimen), and now one school district in Georgia has taken it to next level by installing print scanners that allow students to instantly put meals on their growing tabs. Apparently the Rome City Schools have already had a PIN-based payment system in place for some time now, but as second grader Adrianna Harris opined, "The finger's better because all you've got to do is put your finger in, and you don't have to do the number and get mixed up." Good point, Adrianna, although with calculators already having taken away our adeptness at simple arithmetic and cellphones making it increasingly impossible to remember anyone's phone number, this new method seems like it might hinder yet another valuable life skill: the ability to properly operate an ATM. Still, we're all for technology making the lunch line move faster, but paranoid parents looking to keep their progeny "off the grid" will probably want to start packing bagged meals from now on -- along with keeping their disappointed kids as far away from Disneyworld as possible.

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Biometrics come to lunch lady land originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Sep 2006 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biometricsfingerprint scannersFingerprintScannersgeorgiaidentificationschool lunchSchoolLunchschoolsstudentsTue, 05 Sep 2006 13:37:00 EST