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[PSA: Dropbox Dropquest begins right now!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/12/dropquest-begins-now/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/12/dropquest-begins-now/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/12/dropquest-begins-now/#comments PSA: Dropbox Dropquest begins right now!

Big Dropbox fan are you? Got plans for the weekend? Cancel 'em. Dropquest 2012 begins right now. If you're unfamiliar -- it's the storage company's internet scavenger hunt that involves a series of puzzles, challenges and, erm, origami. If you complete the game, you'll get 1GB of extra space for free, but if you come in first place, you'll get 100GB free for your entire life, while 10 second-placers get 20GB for life and so on. You're not allowed to ask for help on the company's support forum (you'll get disqualified) and you're competing against at least half a million other fans of the service, but if that hasn't daunted you then head on down to the source link and get puzzling!

PSA: Dropbox Dropquest begins right now! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CloudCloud StorageCloudStorageCompetitionDesktopDrop BoxDropboxDropquestDropquest 2012Dropquest2012MobileOnline StorageOnlineStorageStorageSat, 12 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumored FTC probe could delay Facebook / Instagram deal, Toaster filter will have to wait]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/ftc-probe-may-delay-facebook-buy-of-instagram/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/ftc-probe-may-delay-facebook-buy-of-instagram/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/ftc-probe-may-delay-facebook-buy-of-instagram/#comments Image

If you were hoping that Facebook's buyout of Instagram would wrap up quickly and let you directly integrate your heavily filtered photos into Timeline, you might be disappointed. Citing the ever-present "people familiar with the matter," the FT believes the Federal Trade Commission is orchestrating a competition probe. These kinds of investigations are common for most deals over $66 million -- we suspect the $1 billion Instagram pact qualifies -- but could add six months to a year to Facebook's originally planned spring closure date. The deal is still expected to go through, and you can keep tilt-shifting your photos to death in the meantime; just don't expect those shots to blanket friends' Facebook walls anytime soon.

Rumored FTC probe could delay Facebook / Instagram deal, Toaster filter will have to wait originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcameracamerascellphonecellphonescompetitionfacebookFederal Trade CommissionFederalTradeCommissionftcinstagraminvestigationinvestigationsiphonemobilepostcrossphotographyprobesmartphonesmartphonesThu, 10 May 2012 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[The Engadget Interview: AMD's Sasa Marinkovic]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/amd-sasa-marinkovic/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/amd-sasa-marinkovic/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/amd-sasa-marinkovic/#comments The Engadget Interview: AMD's Sasa Marinkovic

This isn't the easiest time to be an AMD fan. The company's eight-core FX-8150 desktop chip was widely panned on the review circuit, and then NVIDIA's GTX 680 graphics card ran off with Radeon HD's thunder. Even when you look at notebook processors, where AMD has long excelled with its Fusion APUs, the hype wars currently favor Ultrabooks and Ivy Bridge. Affection for the gamers' brand and its ATI back-story may make this stuff uncomfortable, but the predicament is already starting to mess with AMD's balance sheet. Which raises the obvious question: what's to be done?

Sasa Marinkovic, AMD's Head of Desktop and Software Product Marketing, bravely took up the challenge of providing his side of the story -- even after we warned him that we'd try to disrupt his flow with accusatory glances. In the end, we did get him to acknowledge some recent hard knocks, particularly with respect to the FX chips and their (lack of) single-threaded performance. But we also got some insight into the mind of a chap who remains genuinely and abundantly confident about his employer's future. Read on and see for yourself.

Continue reading The Engadget Interview: AMD's Sasa Marinkovic

The Engadget Interview: AMD's Sasa Marinkovic originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerated processing unitAcceleratedProcessingUnitamdamd fusionamd fxAMD FX-8150AmdFusionAmdFxAmdFx-8150apucompetitioncpudiscrete graphicsdiscrete-class graphicsDiscrete-classGraphicsDiscreteGraphicsfusiongpugraphicsintegrated graphicsIntegratedGraphicsintelinterviewivy bridgeIvyBridgelow-powerprocessorradeon hdRadeon HD 7000-seriesradeon hd 7970RadeonHdRadeonHd7000-seriesRadeonHd7970rivalrysasa marinkovicSasaMarinkovictrinityFri, 20 Apr 2012 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[What crisis? Sony Music buys EMI's back catalogue for $2.2 billion]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/19/sony-music-buys-emi-publishing/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/19/sony-music-buys-emi-publishing/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/19/sony-music-buys-emi-publishing/#comments Image

While its parent company goes through a dramatic reinvention, Sony Music's scraped together $2.2 billion to lead a consortium that's just bought EMI's music publishing business. While it'll sell off the three Virgin and Famous Music labels to avoid competition concerns, the company will gain access to three million songs from artists like Frank Sinatra, Jay-Z and Adele. It won't affect the day-to-day running of EMI's record label, which is a separate entity, but it will make Sony the biggest music publisher in the world. It's hard not to envisage a future in which the company's influence in the way we buy and listen to music becomes even greater -- especially given that EMI led the charge in abandoning DRM all those years ago.

What crisis? Sony Music buys EMI's back catalogue for $2.2 billion originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntitrustCompetitionDRMEMIEmi Music PublishingEmiMusicPublishingEUFamous MusicFamousMusicMusicOnline MusicOnlineMusicPublisherPurchaseSonySony MusicSonyMusicVirgin EuropeVirgin MusicVirgin UKVirgin USVirginEuropeVirginMusicVirginUkVirginUsThu, 19 Apr 2012 13:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Expedia adds to Google's EU antitrust woes, decision expected after Easter]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/31/expedia-google-eu-antitrust/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/31/expedia-google-eu-antitrust/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/31/expedia-google-eu-antitrust/#comments Google's position as the dominant search engine doesn't come without a price. Smaller search sites have already tapped on the EU Commission's door to register their complaints about how they are ranked, and Microsoft has also let its feelings on the matter be known. Now, we can add the Redmond spin-off, Expedia, to that list of sore losers disgruntled firms. The travel search site claims it has specific details outlining how the search giant has violated European anti-competitive laws. A Google spokesperson issued a statement saying "We haven't seen the complaint yet, but we've been working to explain how our business works, cooperating with the European Commission since this investigation began." The EU Competition Commissioner says a decision will be made after Easter, at which point Mountain View will either be charged, or the investigation will be dropped. If only that were the end of its EU troubles.

Expedia adds to Google's EU antitrust woes, decision expected after Easter originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anticompetitiveantitrustcompetitioncomplainteceueuropeEuropean Commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionexpediafairnessformalgoogleinternetlawlegalmonopolyobjectionregulatorsSat, 31 Mar 2012 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's Sir Jonathan Ive: our competitors have 'completely the wrong goals']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/apples-sir-jonathan-ive-our-competitors-have-completely-the-w/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/apples-sir-jonathan-ive-our-competitors-have-completely-the-w/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/apples-sir-jonathan-ive-our-competitors-have-completely-the-w/#comments
London's favorite only remaining evening free-sheet has snagged an interview with Apple design maven Sir Jonathan Ive. In the piece he talks about being thrilled and humbled by his recent Knighthood, the importance of his London upbringing and why Apple's competitors can't win. Pointing to a desire not to make "genuinely better" products, Cupertino's unnamed rivals instead are "interested in doing something different, or want to appear new," which he says is the wrong goal. The difference is that he and his team aren't tied to a price, a schedule or a marketing scheme -- which he believes "have scant regard for people who use the product." There's also a barbed reference to consumers being able to sense "great care in the design and when there is cynicism and greed" in products on the market. Head on down to the source link to read more, including his frustration with designers who "wag their tails in his face" -- who knew designers had tails, eh?

Apple's Sir Jonathan Ive: our competitors have 'completely the wrong goals' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleCompetitionCupertinoDesignDesignerDesignersEngineeringiMacIndustrial DesignIndustrialDesignInterviewiPadiPhoneiPodJony IveJonyIveMacBookSir Jonathan IveSirJonathanIveTue, 13 Mar 2012 15:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari's Pong Indie Developer Challenge is a real coin opportunity]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/atari-pong-indie-developer-challenge/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/atari-pong-indie-developer-challenge/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/atari-pong-indie-developer-challenge/#comments Atari's legendary Pong has captured plenty of hearts and minds over the years. Now, to celebrate its fortieth birthday, the gaming stalwart is offering up $100,000 for you to re-invent it for iOS as part of its Indie Developer Challenge. To be in with a chance of winning the cash, developers are being asked to recreate the time-honored classic in a new and original way. Then, simply submit your idea, or playable demo and keep your paddles crossed. Those creations that make it to the final will get published under the Atari brand as an official release, and you get eternal bragging rights (and the cash). The competition is open now, and you've got until March 31st to be in the game. Feel like a winner? Then bat your eyes down to that source link for the full deets.

Atari's Pong Indie Developer Challenge is a real coin opportunity originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleatariatari pongAtariPongclassicscompetitiondeveloperdeveloper challengeDeveloperChallengegamegaminggaming classicsGamingClassicsindie developer challengeIndieDeveloperChallengeiosipadiphoneipodmobile gamingMobileGamingpongprizeretro gamingRetroGamingWed, 29 Feb 2012 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple readies $10,000 prize for 25 billionth app milestone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/apple-readies-10-000-prize-for-25-billionth-app-milestone/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/apple-readies-10-000-prize-for-25-billionth-app-milestone/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/apple-readies-10-000-prize-for-25-billionth-app-milestone/#comments

It keeps growing. More downloads, more hard-to-comprehend milestones. This time, Apple's gearing up to hit its 25 billionth app download and it's got another $10,000 prize for the lucky soul that claims that very app. The App Store doubled its download count in the last year -- and then some -- so it's got good reason to be in a celebratory mood. To enter, you can either go grab yourself an app or enter via the prize form below. $10,000 for a random download? Count us in.

Apple readies $10,000 prize for 25 billionth app milestone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25 billion25Billionappapp storeappleappsAppStorecompetitiondownloadsitunesitunes app storeItunesAppStoremilestonemilestonesmobilepostcrossprizeFri, 17 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel settles antitrust lawsuit with New York attorney general, pays hardly anything]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/10/intel-new-york-lawsuit-antitrust-settlement/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/10/intel-new-york-lawsuit-antitrust-settlement/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/10/intel-new-york-lawsuit-antitrust-settlement/#comments Intel's three-year tussle with the state of New York finally came to an end yesterday, with a settlement of relatively harmless proportion. Under the arrangement, Intel will have to shell out a mere $6.5 million to resolve a 2009 antitrust lawsuit filed by then-attorney general Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, who has since ascended to the seat of governor, had accused the chipmaker of intimidating PC manufacturers and handing out billion-dollar kickbacks, as part of what he called a "systematic worldwide campaign" to assert its market dominance. The case has since been helmed by Cuomo's successor, current attorney general Eric Schneiderman, but its sails lost a lot of wind when U.S. District Judge Leonard Stark barred the state from seeking triple damages, limiting its claims to a three-year period, rather than the four-to-six that the state had been pursuing. As a result, Intel suffered only the slightest of financial blows.

According to Reuters, the $6.5 million sum represents just five hours worth of profit for the company, which reported a net income of nearly $13 billion last year. Intel was pleased with the news, pointing out that the agreement doesn't require it to admit any wrongdoing. Schneiderman, on the other hand, seemed notably less enthusiastic, with office spokeswoman Jennifer Givner telling reporters that the state's lawyers still think they have a case against Intel, but "in light of the court's decision believe that no purpose is served by pursuing the matter further."

Intel settles antitrust lawsuit with New York attorney general, pays hardly anything originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andrew CuomoAndrewCuomoantitrustantitrust lawsuitAntitrustLawsuitbusinesschipchipmakercompetitioncpuindustryintellawlawsuitmoneynew yorknew york stateNewYorkNewYorkStatePCsettlementthreatFri, 10 Feb 2012 04:46:00 EST<![CDATA[DARPA's crowdsourced UAV competition heats up, takes off (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/darpa-crowdsource-uavforge-uav-star-wars/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/darpa-crowdsource-uavforge-uav-star-wars/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/darpa-crowdsource-uavforge-uav-star-wars/#comments
Late last year, DARPA launched UAVForge -- a competition that invites contestants to create their very own unmanned aerial vehicles, and submit them for voter-based evaluation. The project is far from over, but competing teams have already started sending in their proof-of-flight videos, giving us a glimpse of what's to come. So far, it looks like the GremLion UAV (pictured above) is the early favorite, after coming out victorious in the first round of voting. Developed by a team from the National University of Singapore, the GremLion looks like a bite-sized Death Star and flies around using a coaxial set of rotors that expand tulip-style out of its shell. Also included in the UAVForge showdown is a guy known as X-MAUS -- an Arduino-controlled quadcopter that can apparently transform into a more aerodynamic plane form upon liftoff. And, rounding out the list of notables is a submission from TU Delft known as the QuadShot, which is basically a miniature B-Wing from Star Wars. Except it's real. Hit up the break to see all three in action.

Continue reading DARPA's crowdsourced UAV competition heats up, takes off (video)

DARPA's crowdsourced UAV competition heats up, takes off (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinob wingBWingcompetitioncrowdsourcingdarpadeath starDeathStarflightgremlion uavGremlionUavnational university of singaporeNationalUniversityOfSingaporeplanequadcopterquadrotorquadshotsciencestar warsStarWarsTU DelftTuDelftuavUAV ForgeUAVForgeunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehiclevideoX-MAUSWed, 08 Feb 2012 04:58:00 EST<![CDATA[HBO to Netflix: you'll need to buy our DVDs elsewhere, pal]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/hbo-stops-providing-netflix-dvd-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/hbo-stops-providing-netflix-dvd-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/hbo-stops-providing-netflix-dvd-blu-ray/#commentsNetflix has made no bones about the fact that it's competing (hard) with HBO, and it seems that the sentiment is the same on the other side. According to CNET, HBO has stopped providing Netflix with DVDs of its shows. Of course, the freedom to purchase from other legitimate resellers has enabled Netflix to keep the discs flying, but it's no longer able to source 'em directly from the Box Office's warehouse. The deal supposedly went into effect at the start of this year, but it's unlikely that you'll ever notice; as the story goes, Netflix will have to pay slightly more to procure them elsewhere, but it's mostly a symbolic move by HBO to ruffle the feathers of Reed Hastings and co. Oh, and if you thought the same luxuries found in HBO Go would ever find its way to Netflix's streaming department, we'd ask that you share a little of your optimism with the rest of the world.

HBO to Netflix: you'll need to buy our DVDs elsewhere, pal originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raybusinesscompetitiondvdhbohdpostcrossindustrynetflixrentalsalesThu, 05 Jan 2012 14:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Bit-tech's Mod of the Year contest underway: finally, something you're comfortable voting on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/26/bit-techs-mod-of-the-year-contest-underway-finally-something/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/26/bit-techs-mod-of-the-year-contest-underway-finally-something/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/26/bit-techs-mod-of-the-year-contest-underway-finally-something/#comments Like ponies to little girls, we always have a soft spot for mods here at Engadget. Who could forget Angel OD's liquid-cooled Wii, for example? Or Peter Brands' Frankendesk of a PC, the L3p D3sk? Well, it seems like we're not the only ones whose fancies got tickled by these things, as both made the list of nominees for bit-tech's Mod of the Year 2011 competition. The contest is serving up its biggest field to date with 25 projects. Entries include a PC that doubles as a mini Warhammer Dreadnought and another computer encased in a Star Trek Intrepid Mark II Class starship replica. If your tastes lean more toward the older than old school kind, Jeffrey Stephenson's got one of his wooden mods included in the bunch, as well. Naturally, you can check out the rest of the entries (and cast your votes) at the source below.

[Thanks, Antony]

Bit-tech's Mod of the Year contest underway: finally, something you're comfortable voting on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casecase modCaseModchassiscompetitioncomputercoolercustomdiyenthusiasthomemadeliquid coolingLiquidCoolingmodmod contestModContestmoddingwaterwater coolingWaterCoolingMon, 26 Dec 2011 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[E-book publishers are now being investigated in the US, not just Europe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/e-book-publishers-are-now-being-investigated-in-the-us-not-just/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/e-book-publishers-are-now-being-investigated-in-the-us-not-just/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/e-book-publishers-are-now-being-investigated-in-the-us-not-just/#comments Just two days after the European Commission announced that it was investigating Apple and major international publishers for possible e-book price fixing, the US Justice Department has made it clear that it's also launching a probe into the possibility of "anticompetitive practices involving e-book sales." Although Justice Department officials didn't name which companies they're looking into, it's very likely that they're focusing on the same agreements between publishers and the major e-book platform owners -- either Apple or Amazon or both.

E-book publishers are now being investigated in the US, not just Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anticompetitiveantitrustappleauthoritiescompetitione booke bookse readere readerse-booke-book salese-booksE-bookSalese-readere-readersebookEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissioninvestigationipadJustice departmentJusticeDepartmentkindleprice fixingprice riggingPriceFixingPriceRiggingprobepublisherus justice departmentUsJusticeDepartmentThu, 08 Dec 2011 04:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple and Samsung's patent battle draws concern from EU Competition Commission]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/apple-and-samsungs-patent-battle-draws-concern-from-eu-competit/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/apple-and-samsungs-patent-battle-draws-concern-from-eu-competit/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/apple-and-samsungs-patent-battle-draws-concern-from-eu-competit/#comments Apple vs. SamsungIt appears that Samsung and Apple's never-ending game of patent Risk is beginning to draw concern from government regulators. The European Union's Competition Commission is investigating the companies' various disputes out of a growing worry that the war could be stifling competition in the mobile market. The agency's commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, has request information about the patents in question from both companies, though he has yet to receive a reply. Almunia was careful to point out that this is hardly the only example of a potential abuse of intellectual property rights to distort the market, but with more than 20 cases in 10 countries it's certainly one of the largest and most high profile. If the commission chooses to pursue legal action both Samsung and Apple could be fined up to 10 percent of their annual revenue. Maybe under threat of such hefty fines, the two competitors will put aside their differences and actually compete... you know, in the marketplace instead of in the court room.

Apple and Samsung's patent battle draws concern from EU Competition Commission originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecompetitioncompetition commissionCompetitionCommissionEUEU Competition CommissionEuCompetitionCommissionEuropean UnionEuropean Union Competition CommissionEuropeanUnionEuropeanUnionCompetitionCommissionintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyinvestigationJoaquin AlmuniaJoaquinAlmunialawmobilepostcrosspatentpatent warpatentsPatentWarsamsungTue, 22 Nov 2011 14:17:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T asks court to dismiss lawsuits filed by Sprint and C Spire Wireless]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/30/atandt-asks-court-to-dismiss-lawsuits-filed-by-sprint-and-c-spire/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/30/atandt-asks-court-to-dismiss-lawsuits-filed-by-sprint-and-c-spire/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/30/atandt-asks-court-to-dismiss-lawsuits-filed-by-sprint-and-c-spire/#comments Well, look at Ma Bell now, wishing it'd all just go away. Tied up in lawsuits, the company has filed motions to dismiss the two complaints brought by Sprint and C Spire Wireless (formerly Cellular South), which seek to block AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile. In the filings, it's argued that the two providers represent their own interests, rather than that of the public. AT&T further reveals that C Spire had pursued private negotiations prior to the lawsuit, where the regional provider agreed to support the merger "if AT&T would agree not to engage in facilities-based competition in Mississippi." Ma Bell goes on to state, "This inappropriate proposal confirms that what Cellular South fears is competition, not lack of competition." Given the latest maneuver (which smacks heavily of PR spin), there's no doubt that lawyers for Sprint and C Spire will have a bit of homework for the weekend.

AT&T asks court to dismiss lawsuits filed by Sprint and C Spire Wireless originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionanti competitiveAntiCompetitiveantitrustATTc spirec spire wirelessc-spirecarriercellular southCellularSouthcompetitioncostcourtCSpirecspire wirelessCSpireWirelessDeutsche TelekomDeutscheTelekomeconomicsfederal courtFederalCourtindustryinnovationlawlawsuitmarketmergerminipostmobilepostcrossmonopolypriceproviderregionalroamingsprintsuitt-mobiletakeoverwashington dcWashingtonDcFri, 30 Sep 2011 20:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Cellular South files antitrust lawsuit against AT&T over proposed T-Mobile takeover]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/cellular-south-files-antitrust-lawsuit-against-atandt-over-propose/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/cellular-south-files-antitrust-lawsuit-against-atandt-over-propose/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/cellular-south-files-antitrust-lawsuit-against-atandt-over-propose/#comments
Sprint and Uncle Sam aren't the only ones taking issue with AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile, because Cellular South has a bone to pick, as well. Yesterday, the provider filed a lawsuit against AT&T in a DC federal court, charging that its $39 billion merger with T-Mobile would violate US antitrust laws. "The merger of AT&T and T-Mobile is anti-competitive, and will result in consumers facing higher prices, less innovation, fewer choices and reduced competition," Cellular South said in a complaint. The company went on to argue that legal evaluation of the merger must incorporate the perspectives of smaller, regional carriers who, like Cellular South, will "find it harder to secure both wireless devices at competitive prices and times and nationwide roaming." An AT&T spokesman declined to comment on the case, but you can find more details about it at the source link below, or in the full press release, after the break.

Continue reading Cellular South files antitrust lawsuit against AT&T over proposed T-Mobile takeover

Cellular South files antitrust lawsuit against AT&T over proposed T-Mobile takeover originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionanti competitiveAntiCompetitiveantitrustattcarriercellular southCellularSouthcompetitioncostcourtDeutsche TelekomDeutscheTelekomeconomicsfederal courtFederalCourtindustryinnovationlawmarketmergermobilepostminimonopolypriceproviderregionalroamingsprintt-mobiletakeoverwashington dcWashingtonDcTue, 20 Sep 2011 05:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's South Korean offices raided over alleged antitrust violations]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/07/googles-south-korean-offices-raided-over-alleged-antitrust-viol/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/07/googles-south-korean-offices-raided-over-alleged-antitrust-viol/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/07/googles-south-korean-offices-raided-over-alleged-antitrust-viol/#comments Google's South Korea offices have been raided once again -- this time, over alleged antitrust violations. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) stormed Google's Seoul offices on Tuesday, amid claims that the company unfairly stifles competition by making its search engine the default option on Android handsets. South Korea's largest mobile search operators, NHN and Daum Communications, filed a complaint with the KFTC in April, claiming that Android is "systematically designed" to discourage users from switching to different portals, and that Google excludes competitors by delaying OS certification for phone manufacturers that attempt to pre-load devices with other search engines. Similar charges, as you may recall, fueled an FTC investigation in the US, where anti-competitive allegations have been flying around for a few months, now. Google neither confirmed nor denied that yesterday's raid took place, but a spokesperson said the company would "work with the KFTC to address any questions they may have about our business," adding that its OS does "not require carriers or manufacturers to include Google Search or Google applications on Android-powered devices."

Google's South Korean offices raided over alleged antitrust violations originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allegationandroidanti competitiveAntiCompetitiveantitrustasiacompetitioncomplaintdaumDaum CommunicationsDaumCommunicationsdefaultgoogleKFTCkoreakorean free trade commissionKoreanFreeTradeCommissionlawNHNoperating systemOperatingSystemOSregulationregulatorsearchsearch engineSearchEngineseoulsouth koreaSouthKoreaWed, 07 Sep 2011 04:45:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T may get a discount if T-Mobile bid concessions prove too expensive]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/atandt-may-get-a-discount-if-t-mobile-bid-concessions-prove-too-ex/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/atandt-may-get-a-discount-if-t-mobile-bid-concessions-prove-too-ex/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/atandt-may-get-a-discount-if-t-mobile-bid-concessions-prove-too-ex/#comments When the DOJ blocked AT&T's deal to snatch up T-Mobile, did you think Ma Bell would end up shelling out some ridiculous sum to lock things up? Well, the opposite may be the case -- according to Bloomberg, the company can get a reduced rate if regulator's requests become too pricey. A discount of sorts would be available to AT&T if the remedy to-do list surpasses 20 percent of the deal's original $39 billion price tag (about $7.8 billion). Also of note here: the company could leave the proverbial table altogether if the concessions top the 40 percent mark, only owing a break-up penalty... and shelling out the $3 billion contingency fund to Deutsche Telekom AG.

AT&T may get a discount if T-Mobile bid concessions prove too expensive originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antitrustassetattbusinesscarriercompetitioncourtDOJgovernmentindustryjustice departmentJusticeDepartmentlegalmergermobilepostcrossmoneyproviderpurchaseregulationregulatorsettlementt-mobileUS department of justiceUsDepartmentOfJusticeTue, 06 Sep 2011 22:18:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T willing to make concessions to save T-Mobile merger, sources say]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/atandt-willing-to-make-concessions-to-save-t-mobile-merger-source/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/atandt-willing-to-make-concessions-to-save-t-mobile-merger-source/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/atandt-willing-to-make-concessions-to-save-t-mobile-merger-source/#comments
Now that the US government has moved to block its merger with T-Mobile, AT&T is gearing up for a long and potentially pricey legal battle with the Department of Justice. According to Reuters, however, the provider is also working on a settlement offer, in the hopes of bypassing the courtroom altogether. Sources close to the matter say AT&T will soon present its proposal to antitrust regulators, who are concerned that the company's purchase of T-Mobile may hinder market competition. Details on the proposal remain vague, though it will likely include promises to keep T-Mobile's low-cost data and calling plans, along with pledges to sell off some of its own assets. But some insiders say the carrier may have to sell up to 25 percent of T-Mobile's business in order to put regulators' minds at ease. AT&T has yet to comment on the report, though one of Reuters' sources claims that its lawyers are "pretty determined that they can find a solution, and they are pretty confident."

AT&T willing to make concessions to save T-Mobile merger, sources say originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antitrustassetattbusinesscalling planCallingPlancarriercompetitioncourtdata planDataPlanDOJgovernmentindustryjustice departmentJusticeDepartmentlegalmergermobilemobilepostcrossmoneyproviderpurchaseregulationregulatorsettlementt-mobileUS department of justiceUsDepartmentOfJusticeFri, 02 Sep 2011 02:56:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Mazaa's awarded in dev contest, winners promptly splay (and auction) them to world]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/htc-mazaas-awarded-in-dev-contest-winners-promptly-splay-and/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/htc-mazaas-awarded-in-dev-contest-winners-promptly-splay-and/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/htc-mazaas-awarded-in-dev-contest-winners-promptly-splay-and/#comments
What would you do if you'd won an unannounced smartphone that sported Windows Phone Mango? Naturally, we hope you'd first send us the dirt, but what if you were a college student and knew the weekend was rapidly approaching? Undergrad winners of Microsoft's WPAppitUp competition are facing this smartphone / cheap beer conundrum, as they're now holding HTC Mazaas as prizes, yet many are selling them for cash instead.

If you'd like to adopt an orphan, the phones come with Qualcomm's MSM8655 SoC -- the same as the Thunderbolt and Droid Incredible 2 -- which supports (but may not feature) dual mode GSM / CDMA for world roaming. A 1GHz Scorpion CPU and the Adreno 205 GPU are in the mix, and while the over-sized earpiece seems to indicate that this is the same 12-megapixel monster previously shown off by Eldar Murtazin, one of the contest winners, Heedeok Lee, informed us that the camera is actually of 5 megapixel resolution only. Frankly, it's unclear whether the Mazaa is heading for retail shelves at all, but if you're wanting an early taste of Mango, you should consider befriending a thirsty student developer.

Gallery: HTC Mazaa

HTC Mazaa's awarded in dev contest, winners promptly splay (and auction) them to world originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 06:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adreno 205Adreno205competitioncontestcontestsdeveloperdevelopershtchtc mazaaHtcMazaamangomazaamicrosoftmsm8655qualcommsmartphonesmartphonessnapdragonstudentstudentswindows phonewindows phone 7.5windows phone mangoWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7.5WindowsPhoneMangowpwp7Thu, 11 Aug 2011 06:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft offers 'mad loot' Bluehat prize to entice security developers (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/microsoft-offers-mad-loot-bluehat-prize-to-entice-security-dev/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/microsoft-offers-mad-loot-bluehat-prize-to-entice-security-dev/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/05/microsoft-offers-mad-loot-bluehat-prize-to-entice-security-dev/#comments Mere numbers aren't enough to describe cash prizes for Microsoft, it seems. The firm's inaugural Bluehat security competition's introduction video opted for a clearer term: "mad loot, lots of it." The big M hopes the hefty first prize of $200,000 will inspire the creation of the next generation of defensive computer security technology. The most innovative "novel runtime mitigation technology designed to prevent the exploitation of memory safety vulnerabilities" (phew!) will take home the aforesaid mad loot, while second and third places will receive $50,000 and an MSDN Universal subscription, respectively. The winner won't be announced until Blackhat 2012, of course, and applicants have until April to submit their prototypes and technical descriptions. Hit the break for the official announcement video, complete with CG backgrounds and prize euphemisms.

Continue reading Microsoft offers 'mad loot' Bluehat prize to entice security developers (video)

Microsoft offers 'mad loot' Bluehat prize to entice security developers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardblackhatblackhat conferenceBlackhatConferencebluehatbluehat awardbluehat competitionbluehat prizeBluehatAwardBluehatCompetitionBluehatPrizecompetitioncomputer securityComputerSecuritycontestexploitexploitationhackhackerhackingmad lootMadLootmicrosoftruntime mitigationRuntimeMitigationsecurityvideoFri, 05 Aug 2011 09:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Philips wins DOE's $10 million L Prize for 60W incandescent killer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/philips-wins-does-10-million-l-prize-for-60w-incandescent-kill/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/philips-wins-does-10-million-l-prize-for-60w-incandescent-kill/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/philips-wins-does-10-million-l-prize-for-60w-incandescent-kill/#commentsPut your pig-tail light bulb aversions aside, because Philips has just won the DOE's $10 million L Prize Competition for the creation of a decidedly non-curlicue 60W equivalent LED lighting solution. The company was named the first winner in the 60W replacement bulb category at a Washington DC event, yesterday. It's taken three years to find a winner that could meet the high standards set forth by the DOE, specifically "ensuring that performance, quality, lifetime, cost, and availability meet expectations for widespread adoption and mass manufacturing." Requirements further stipulated that the 60W incandescent killer use less than 10 watts of power, and provide energy savings of 83 percent. If Americans replaced all of their 60W incandescents with Philips' little winner, the DOE estimates savings of $3.9 billion in a single year. The bulb is expected to hit shelves as soon as early 2012. Full PR after the break.

Philips wins DOE's $10 million L Prize for 60W incandescent killer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>60W bulb60W equivalent60W LED light bulb60W light bulb60wBulb60wEquivalent60wLedLightBulb60wLightBulbCompetitionDepartment of EnergyDepartmentOfEnergyDOEenergyEnergy savingEnergySavingincandescentL PrizeL Prize Competitionled light bulbLedLightBulblightlight bulbLightBulblightingLighting PrizeLightingPrizeLPrizeLPrizeCompetitionPhilipspowerwinwinnerThu, 04 Aug 2011 16:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft crowns 20 winners in Mango app contest, losers go home fruitless]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/31/microsoft-crowns-20-winners-in-mango-app-contest-losers-go-home/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/31/microsoft-crowns-20-winners-in-mango-app-contest-losers-go-home/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/31/microsoft-crowns-20-winners-in-mango-app-contest-losers-go-home/#commentsMicrosoft crowns 20 winners in Mango app contest, losers go home fruitlessWe thought Mango's nectar was already pretty damn sweet, but a group of young developers recently took up the challenge to make the next generation Windows Phone 7 experience even more delicious. Following up on last year's 'Rockstar' competition, Microsoft asked students to submit Mango app prototypes via Twitter, with the promise of developers phones for the top entries. Among the top 20 #WPAppItUp submissions are a program that helps the colorblind figure out what shade of puce they're peeping, and a sadistic alarm clock that requires users to solve puzzles before hitting the snooze button. Apparently, Microsoft still has 30 Windows Phones to give away, and is looking for young devs to offer up America's next top Mango app. Submission guidelines can be found at the source link below.

[Thanks, E-Dan]

Microsoft crowns 20 winners in Mango app contest, losers go home fruitless originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aapp competitionapp contestAppCompetitionAppContestcompetitioncontestdeveloperdevelopersmangoMicrosoftphonestudent developerstudent developersStudentDeveloperStudentDevelopersTwitterwindowswindows phonewindows phone 7 mangowindows phone 7.5windows phone mangoWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7.5WindowsPhone7MangoWindowsPhoneMangoWP7WP7 MangoWp7MangoWPAppItUPSun, 31 Jul 2011 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[DARwin-OP, CHARLI-2 humanoids make history at RoboCup 2011, 'U-S-A!' chants ensue (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/darwin-op-charli-2-humanoids-make-history-at-robocup-2011-u-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/darwin-op-charli-2-humanoids-make-history-at-robocup-2011-u-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/darwin-op-charli-2-humanoids-make-history-at-robocup-2011-u-s/#commentsWhile most American sports fans were busy celebrating a World Cup victory over Brazil this weekend, an indubitably more compelling soccer tournament was drawing to a close in Istanbul -- site of RoboCup 2011. Virginia Tech's Team DARwin made history at this year's event, becoming the first US squad to bring home top honors in both the Kid Size and Adult Size competitions. The petite DARwin-OP humanoid danced circles around the lightweight class, while the five-foot CHARLI-2 demoralized Robo Erectus in the big boys' final with a last-minute penalty kick. In its international debut, the CHARLI-2 (pictured, in a moment of Zen, on the right) also earned the vaunted Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup, ending a nine-year period dominated by teams from Germany and Japan. These programmed Peles may not the most graceful of strikers, but RoboCup organizers remain convinced that autonomous bots will be able to compete with human athletes by 2050 -- which might just give us enough time to develop a taste for soccer. Dribble past the break to see Team DARwin in action, along with an extra clip from the BBC.

Continue reading DARwin-OP, CHARLI-2 humanoids make history at RoboCup 2011, 'U-S-A!' chants ensue (video)

DARwin-OP, CHARLI-2 humanoids make history at RoboCup 2011, 'U-S-A!' chants ensue (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americabotcharlicharli-2competitiondarwinDARwin-OPfootballistanbulpenalty kickPenaltyKickroborobocuprobocup 2011Robocup2011robotroboticsoccersportsteam DARwinTeamDarwinusavideovirginia techVirginiaTechTue, 12 Jul 2011 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's request for preliminary injunction denied, Amazon's Appstore needs no alias]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/apples-request-for-preliminary-injunction-denied-amazons-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/apples-request-for-preliminary-injunction-denied-amazons-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/apples-request-for-preliminary-injunction-denied-amazons-apps/#commentsRemember when Apple sued Amazon, claiming the online retailer was infringing its "App Store" trademark? To stop Bezos and his boys from using the "Appstore" moniker for their Amazonian Android Market, Apple filed for a preliminary injunction last month, and today the judge denied that request. Despite the Cupertino company's claims of consumer confusion and brand dilution, the court found in Amazon's favor -- in part because the term "app store" is descriptive and is used by plenty of mobile software purveyors. Of course, this doesn't end the legal shenanigans between these two tech titans, but it does mean that Amazon's Appstore can keep its incredibly original name... for now. Want the full breakdown why Apple got a judicial stiff arm? Dig into a copy of the order denying its motion in the source link below.

Apple's request for preliminary injunction denied, Amazon's Appstore needs no alias originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon appstoreAmazonAppstoreapp storeappleapple app storeAppleAppStoreAppStorecompetitionlawsuitlegalpreliminary injunctionPreliminaryInjunctionsoftwaretrademarktrademark infringementTrademarkInfringementThu, 07 Jul 2011 06:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Google to face €295 million French lawsuit over alleged anti-competitive practices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/google-to-face-295-million-french-lawsuit-over-alleged-anti-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/google-to-face-295-million-french-lawsuit-over-alleged-anti-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/google-to-face-295-million-french-lawsuit-over-alleged-anti-com/#comments Google's legal woes are piling up in a hurry. French search engine 1PlusV is suing El Goog over alleged anti-competitive practices, less than a week after the Federal Trade Commission opened a formal inquiry into similar accusations levied stateside. The suit, set to be filed in a Paris court this week, claims that Google uses its market dominance to bury rival search results while unfairly promoting those for its own services. According to 1PlusV, Google "black-listed" 30 of its vertical search engines between 2007 and 2010, making it difficult for the firm to compete. The company is also complaining about having to adopt Mountain View's technology in order to use AdSense and, in total, is seeking €295 million (about $418 million) in damages -- the largest damage claim Google has ever faced in Europe. 1PlusV operates the legal search group EJustice.fr and, along with Microsoft, helped spur an EU antitrust probe against Google last year. The company says its forthcoming lawsuit represents the "logical" next step in its ongoing antitrust crusade, while Google issued a brief statement, saying it "look[s] forward to explaining this."

Google to face €295 million French lawsuit over alleged anti-competitive practices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1PlusVaccusationadsenseadvertisingallegationanti-competitiveantitrustcompetitioncourtEuropeEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionFranceFrenchgoogleillegallawlawsuitmarketmoneyparissearch engineSearchEnginevertical search engineVerticalSearchEngineTue, 28 Jun 2011 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox COO sees dedicated handheld market as a 'red ocean,' will let Sony and Nintendo swim in it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/xbox-coo-sees-dedicated-handheld-market-as-a-red-ocean-will-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/xbox-coo-sees-dedicated-handheld-market-as-a-red-ocean-will-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/xbox-coo-sees-dedicated-handheld-market-as-a-red-ocean-will-l/#commentsDennis Durkin is COO and CFO for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. He's also a dude thoroughly disillusioned with the future of portable consoles. Speaking to IndustryGamers, Durkin explains that the "crowded" nature of the mobile gaming market right now makes it extremely difficult to launch a dedicated handheld gaming device successfully -- in his colorful words, it's "a very, very red ocean." Whose blood is soiling those waters? The Nintendo 3DS, says Durkin, which has sold reasonably well, but has clearly failed to reach the lofty expectations set for it by fans and previous handhelds from the company. Likewise, the PS Vita invites a lot of skepticism from the Xbox chief, who says his excitement is reserved for what Microsoft can do with Kinect, Xbox Live and unique content. You might say it's to be expected that an Xbox exec would be casting doubt over Sony's great new hope, but what we learn in the process is that Microsoft has no intentions of squaring up to its home console nemesis on the mobile front. Not with dedicated hardware, anyway.

Xbox COO sees dedicated handheld market as a 'red ocean,' will let Sony and Nintendo swim in it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cfocompetitioncompetitiveconsolecoodennis durkinDennisDurkingaminghandheldhandheld consoleHandheldConsolemicrosoftopinionplaystationportableps vitaPsVitaquotequotedsonyvitaxboxMon, 27 Jun 2011 07:17:00 EST<![CDATA[FTC to put Google under a microscope, try to uncover anti-competitive ways?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/ftc-to-put-google-under-a-microscope-try-to-uncover-its-anti-co/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/ftc-to-put-google-under-a-microscope-try-to-uncover-its-anti-co/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/ftc-to-put-google-under-a-microscope-try-to-uncover-its-anti-co/#comments Google's drawn the ire of the Federal Trade Commission before for failing to follow its own privacy policies. Now, however, the Mountain View crew is apparently facing a formal inquiry from the FTC as it seeks information about Google's search and advertising business. The civil investigative demands are set to be sent out within the next five days, according to the Wall Street Journal, and the commission will be looking into whether Google's search engine illegally routs all those internet eyeballs scanning its site to its own services instead of those offered by competitors. Sound familiar? It should, because Google's under investigation for similar anticompetitive accusations made in Europe -- somewhere Steve Ballmer is smiling.

FTC to put Google under a microscope, try to uncover anti-competitive ways? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anticompetitiveantitrustcompetitionfederal trade commissionFederalTradeCommissionftcgoogleinternetlawlegalmonopolyregulatorysearchwebThu, 23 Jun 2011 22:26:00 EST<![CDATA[US DOJ greenlights Google's $900 million bid for Nortel patents; Apple, RIM also interested]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/us-doj-greenlights-googles-900-million-bid-for-nortel-patents/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/us-doj-greenlights-googles-900-million-bid-for-nortel-patents/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/us-doj-greenlights-googles-900-million-bid-for-nortel-patents/#commentsIt looks like Google will be able to bid on Nortel's patent portfolio after all, now that the Department of Justice has weighed in on the matter. According to the Wall Street Journal, El Goog's $900 million bid has passed a governmental antitrust review, just a few days ahead of next week's auction. Rivals like Microsoft, AT&T and Verizon had previously filed complaints with the DOJ, arguing that the sale of Nortel's 6,000 patents would give an unfair advantage to the auction's winner by providing it with a fresh arsenal for patent-infringement lawsuits. Google, however, claims it needs the portfolio to defend itself against legal challenges, since it has comparatively few patents to its name. The DOJ apparently sees nothing illegal with this argument, having determined that singular ownership of Nortel's intellectual property would pose no threat to market competition. This is obviously music to Google's ears, but the battle isn't over yet. Sources tell the Journal that both RIM and Apple are interested in filing their own bids for the patents, and have already begun discussing the matter with the Justice Department. None of the companies involved have commented on the story, but it'll all go down on June 20th, when the auction finally gets underway.

US DOJ greenlights Google's $900 million bid for Nortel patents; Apple, RIM also interested originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antitrustappleattauctionbusinesscompetitiondepartment of justiceDepartmentOfJusticedojgooglegoogle nortelGoogleNortelgovernmentindustryinfringementlawlawsuitmarketmicrosoftmoneynortelpatentpatent auctionpatent infringementpatent lawsuitPatentAuctionPatentInfringementPatentLawsuitpoliticsRIMverizonWed, 15 Jun 2011 13:51:00 EST<![CDATA[France bans Twitter, Facebook mentions on TV, in the name of market competition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/france-bans-twitter-facebook-mentions-on-tv-in-the-name-of-mar/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/france-bans-twitter-facebook-mentions-on-tv-in-the-name-of-mar/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/france-bans-twitter-facebook-mentions-on-tv-in-the-name-of-mar/#comments The words "Facebook" and "Twitter" are now verboten on French TV, because France thought it'd be a good idea to follow its own laws. Last week, the country's Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA) ruled that TV networks and radio stations will no longer be able to explicitly mention Facebook or Twitter during on-air broadcasts, except when discussing a story in which either company is directly involved. The move comes in response to a 1992 governmental decree that prohibits media organizations from promoting brands during newscasts, for fear of diluting competition. Instead of inviting viewers to follow their programs or stories on Twitter, then, broadcast journalists will have to couch their promotions in slightly more generic terms -- e.g. "Follow us on your social network of choice." CSA spokeswoman Christine Kelly explains:

"Why give preference to Facebook, which is worth billions of dollars, when there are many other social networks that are struggling for recognition? This would be a distortion of competition. If we allow Facebook and Twitter to be cited on air, it's opening a Pandora's Box - other social networks will complain to us saying, 'why not us?'"

It didn't take long for the US media to jump all over the story, with many outlets citing no less objective a source than Matthew Fraser -- a Canadian expat blogger who claims, in ostensible sincerity, that the ruling is symptomatic of a "deeply rooted animosity in the French psyche toward Anglo-Saxon cultural domination." Calling the ruling "ludicrous," Fraser went on to flamboyantly point out the obvious, stating that such regulatory nonsense would never be tolerated by corporations in the US. But then again, neither would smelly cheese or universal healthcare. Apple, meet orange. Fueling competition via aggressive regulation may strike some free-marketeers as economically depraved, but it certainly won't kill social media-based commerce. Facebook and Twitter have already become more or less synonymous with "social networks" anyway, so it's hard to envision such a minor linguistic tweak having any major effect on online engagement. That's not to say that the new regulation will suddenly create a level playing field -- it won't. But it probably won't put America's social media titans at a serious disadvantage, as some would have you believe. Rather, these knee-jerk arguments from Fraser and others seem more rooted in capitalist symbolism and cross-cultural hyperbole than anything else -- reality, included.

France bans Twitter, Facebook mentions on TV, in the name of market competition originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banbrandbusinesscompetitionConseil Supérieur de lAudiovisuelConseilSupérieurDeLaudiovisuelCSAculturedecreeeconomicsfacebookfrancefrenchgovernmentjournalismknee-jerkmedianewsoutcrypoliticsradioregulationregulatorysocial mediaSocialMediaSocialNetworkingtvtwitterwebMon, 06 Jun 2011 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[France to auction off 4G spectrum, carriers ready to get their bid on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/france-to-auction-off-4g-spectrum-carriers-ready-to-get-their-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/france-to-auction-off-4g-spectrum-carriers-ready-to-get-their-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/france-to-auction-off-4g-spectrum-carriers-ready-to-get-their-b/#commentsIf you have a few billion euros hiding in your couch cushion and you've always dreamed of owning a coveted sect of airspace, might we suggest a 4G auction? France has some 18 blocks of high-speed spectrum up for grabs this September in the 800MHz and 2.6GHz bands, and wants at least 2.5 billion euros ($3.6b) in exchange for the whole enchilada. Expensive as it may seem, there's no reason to believe it shouldn't easily surpass that amount; the biggest competitors are definitely not lightweights by any stretch of the imagination, and -- as this will be the last of such spectrum to be sold for at least ten years -- we know each contender will be on its A-game. Fortunately the government has regulated the whole affair to keep spectrum-hogging to a minimum: no company can buy more than half of the "beachfront" 800MHz band, and no more than 15MHz of the 2.6GHz (out of 70MHz available). The most awe-inspiring regulation, however, is that victors will be required to build out their 4G networks in rural zones, ensuring that 90 percent of the population will have access to high-speed mobile broadband within 12 years. Could the US government learn a few things from this process?

France to auction off 4G spectrum, carriers ready to get their bid on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 May 2011 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.6ghz4G4g spectrum4gSpectrum800 mhz800MhzauctionbouyguescompetitionFrancefrance telecomFranceTelecomiliadLTEmobileregulationsruralrural coverageRuralCoveragespectrumMon, 23 May 2011 13:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell XPS 15z coming tomorrow for $999? (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/dell-xps-15z-coming-tomorrow-for-999/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/dell-xps-15z-coming-tomorrow-for-999/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/dell-xps-15z-coming-tomorrow-for-999/#comments The thinnest 15-inch laptop "on the planet" is coming tomorrow, costing a measly $999, according to the Wall Street Journal. In a profile of Dell's recent history and forthcoming plans in the consumer electronics market, the financial paper twice makes reference to an ultrathin, $999 laptop that is set to launch on Tuesday of this week. Pairing that intel with the abundance of leaks surrounding the slinky 15.6-inch XPS 15z -- including a Michael Dell tweet promising it's "coming soon" -- leads us to the conclusion that we've finally gotten ahold of the price and date for Dell's next big thing. Interestingly enough, the WSJ article goes on to say that Dell had canned a similar set of slim laptops earlier in the year, which might give us greater hope for the quality of the 15z -- it survived where others didn't.

Other disclosures in the piece include a quote from Michael Dell, saying that he "didn't completely see" the tablet boom coming, which might explain why sales of his company's Streak tablets have been low enough to be described as "immaterial." There's also a discussion of the abortive Zing music service and related MP3 players that never were, but you'll have to hit the source link to learn more about them.

Update: As further evidence of the 15z's imminent release, the tease has turned into a show with a video that fully reveals its slimline chassis and declares that the new Dell packs the Streak's Stage UI as well. [Thanks, Ishai and Ming Han]

Update 2: And now we have the answer to our headline question: yes.

Continue reading Dell XPS 15z coming tomorrow for $999? (updated)

Dell XPS 15z coming tomorrow for $999? (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 May 2011 06:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>15-inch15zavailabilitybossceocompetitionconsumerdatedelldell streakDellStreakInspiron15zlaptopmichael dellMichaelDellpricepricingquotequotedsalesstreaktablettabletsteaseteaserthinultrathinvideoxpsxps 15zXps15zMon, 23 May 2011 06:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Switched On: Adding to Android's army]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/switched-on-adding-to-androids-army/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/switched-on-adding-to-androids-army/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/switched-on-adding-to-androids-army/#comments Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
Android, as Andy Rubin (no relation) has pointed out on multiple occasions, plays a game of numbers. And at Google I/O, the company carrying on its development shared some large ones: 100 million activated devices with 400,000 being added each day. However, like in many games, different players can catch up or overtake each other at different points. Just ask Nokia and RIM. To stay on top, operating system vendors implement strategies that lock consumers in. The more money consumers sink into iPhone apps, for example, the more incentive they have to stay with that platform; the same is true for accessories that use Apple's 30-pin dock connector that has been around since the third-generation iPod.

With Android having become the lead operating system for every smartphone company that licenses its OS with the notable exception of Nokia (which nearly did), Google showed that it's intent not just on moving Android into other devices with sufficient computing horsepower such as tablets and, increasingly, TVs, but now has its sights set on having just about everything that can't run Android directly feed into it. Google is taking two approaches - one for things that plug into Android devices, and one for things that don't.

Continue reading Switched On: Adding to Android's army

Switched On: Adding to Android's army originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 May 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcompetitiongooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidsoftwareswitched onSwitchedOnSun, 22 May 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[NC governor will let cable-backed bill restricting municipal broadband become law]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/nc-governor-will-let-cable-backed-bill-restricting-municipal-bro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/nc-governor-will-let-cable-backed-bill-restricting-municipal-bro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/nc-governor-will-let-cable-backed-bill-restricting-municipal-bro/#comments We've repeatedly hammered Time Warner Cable (and its big-cable cronies) for crying to the North Carolina legislature about municipal broadband. TWC claims it can't compete with taxpayer-backed ISPs such as Wilson, NC's Greenlight -- and that it shouldn't have to. In fact, Greenlight and four other municipal providers came about specifically because corporate players refused to provide inexpensive, fast broadband. And now that local governments have proven they can provide it, the cable companies have cried foul, pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into select political pockets all the while. That's the drama so far, and now a bill restricting municipal broadband -- mandating that providers pay taxes similar to private companies, for example -- has landed on the desk of Governor Bev Perdue. She won't veto the bill, meaning it will soon become a law; for whatever it's worth (read: not much), she also refuses to sign it. The reason? Here it is from the horse's mouth:

I will neither sign nor veto this bill. Instead, I call on the General Assembly to revisit this issue and adopt rules that not only promote fairness but also allow for the greatest number of high quality and affordable broadband options for consumers.

The legislation strikes a blow against public ISPs in a country that ranks ninth in the world for broadband adoption and download speeds. And that, apparently, is what "fair competition" looks like in the US.

[Image courtesy of IndyWeek]

NC governor will let cable-backed bill restricting municipal broadband become law originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 May 2011 02:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bev PerdueBevPerduebroadbandcableCenturyLinkcommunity broadbandCommunityBroadbandcompetitionembarqgreenlightH129high-speed internetHigh-speedInternetinternetISPlegalNCnorth carolinaNorthCarolinaPerduepoliticalpoliticstime warnertime warner cableTimeWarnerTimeWarnerCabletwcwilsonwilson north carolinaWilsonNorthCarolinaSun, 22 May 2011 02:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Dutchman integrates a 4.5GHz water-cooled rig into his d3sk]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/dutchman-integrates-a-4-5ghz-water-cooled-rig-into-his-d3sk/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/dutchman-integrates-a-4-5ghz-water-cooled-rig-into-his-d3sk/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/dutchman-integrates-a-4-5ghz-water-cooled-rig-into-his-d3sk/#comments Cooler Master's 2011 Case Mod Competition looks to be the gift that keeps on giving. After serving up a Tron lightcycle and an architectural marvel, it's now playing host to a mod that redefines the idea of an all-in-one PC. Peter from the Netherlands has managed to fit a pretty bombastic set of components -- 4.5GHz Core i7-980X, two ASUS GeForce GTX 580 graphics cards in SLI, over 12TB of storage with an SSD boot disk, and two PSUs providing 1,500W of power in total -- together with a water-cooling setup and the inevitable glowing lights inside one enclosure, which just so happens to also serve as his desk. The three-piece monitor setup is also a custom arrangement, with a 27-inch U2711 IPS panel being flanked by two 17-inchers. Admittedly, this isn't the first water-cooled and over-powered desk we've laid eyes on, but that shouldn't prevent you from giving the links below a bash and checking out the amazingly neat design of Peter's l3p d3sk.

Continue reading Dutchman integrates a 4.5GHz water-cooled rig into his d3sk

Dutchman integrates a 4.5GHz water-cooled rig into his d3sk originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 08:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aioall-in-oneall-in-one deskAll-in-oneDeskaluminumcasecase modCaseModchassiscompetitioncompudeskcomputercooler masterCoolerMastercore i7Core i7-980XCoreI7CoreI7-980xcustomdeskdiydutchenthusiastextremefurnitureglassgtx 580Gtx580homemadeintegratedl3pl3p d3skL3pD3skmodmoddingnetherlandsoverclockedU2711waterwater coolingWater-cooledWaterCoolingFri, 20 May 2011 08:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Tron lightcycle case mod is totally awesome, 100 percent 3D]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/19/tron-lightcycle-case-mod-is-totally-awesome-100-percent-3d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/19/tron-lightcycle-case-mod-is-totally-awesome-100-percent-3d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/19/tron-lightcycle-case-mod-is-totally-awesome-100-percent-3d/#comments
So, we already have a street-legal Tron lightcycle, but why stop there? After weeks of work, Bods Mods just completed its 40-inch long lightcycle PC, complete with ATX motherboard, liquid cooling, and plenty of blue light strips. The designer started the from-scratch custom build in SketchUp, Google's 3D modeling app, followed by loads of foam shaping and Dremel work. Judging by the dozens (if not hundreds) of images posted to the Cooler Master forum, this is one of the most complex case mods we've seen, with incredible details down to the translucent Crucial and SSD logos painted on the lightcycle engine. Bods Mods entered its lightcycle case in Cooler Master's 2011 Case Mod Competition, though the entries themselves are far more exciting than the first place prize: a boring, non-modified case full of components.

Tron lightcycle case mod is totally awesome, 100 percent 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 May 2011 01:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casecase modcase mod competitionCaseModCaseModCompetitioncompetitioncontestcooler mastercooler master competitionCoolerMasterCoolerMasterCompetitioncrucialcustom caseCustomCaselightcyclessdtrontron lightcycleTronLightcycleThu, 19 May 2011 01:58:00 EST<![CDATA[20 gigapixel, 360-degree panorama of Wembley Stadium is among world's largest, most detailed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/17/10-gigapixel-360-degree-panorama-of-wembley-stadium-is-worlds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/17/10-gigapixel-360-degree-panorama-of-wembley-stadium-is-worlds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/17/10-gigapixel-360-degree-panorama-of-wembley-stadium-is-worlds/#comments Jeffrey Martin is a busy man. Having already shot an 80 gigapixel panorama of London's skyline and a 40 gigapixel peek inside a Czech library, he has now turned his attention to England's hallowed Wembley Stadium. The recently rebuilt home of football served as the stage for a new 360-degree panorama, shot during the FA Cup Final this Saturday, which spans 10 20 gigapixels in total and has been made available online at the source link below. Recording was done using a DSLR mounted to a custom robot rig that would continually pump out imagery to an equally exclusive Fujitsu workstation equipped with 192GB of RAM and 24 processing cores. All that grunt was used to automatically stitch more than 1,000 high-res images together, earning the finished product the honor of being one of the world's largest 360-degree sports panoramic photos. Give the source a bash to tag yourself if you were at the Final or to check who else was there.

[Thanks, Adam]

Update: We originally had this at 10 gigapixel, going from information on the FA's website, but it turns out to be a 20 gigapixel pic. Its claim for being the largest sports panorama may actually be disputed by Essendon FC in Australia, who managed to pull together a 20 gigapixel image of their own at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in late April. You can see that jumbo pic here, or check out a couple more from Daytona and the NCAA Final Four this year.

20 gigapixel, 360-degree panorama of Wembley Stadium is among world's largest, most detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 04:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360360-degree360citiescompetitioncrowdenglandfafa cupfa cup finalFaCupFaCupFinalfanfansfinalfootballfootball associationFootballAssociationgigapixelimageimagingjeffrey martinJeffreyMartinlondonmanchester cityManchesterCitypanoramaphotophoto stitchingphotographyphotosPhotoStitchingsoccersportsportssports panoramaSportsPanoramastadiumstoke cityStokeCitytournamentukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomwembleywembley 360wembley stadiumWembley360WembleyStadiumTue, 17 May 2011 04:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Nearly half a million customers left T-Mobile in Q1 2011]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/08/nearly-half-a-million-contract-customers-left-t-mobile-in-q1-201/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/08/nearly-half-a-million-contract-customers-left-t-mobile-in-q1-201/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/08/nearly-half-a-million-contract-customers-left-t-mobile-in-q1-201/#comments Not even promises of a new Sidekick can keep T-Mobile from hemorrhaging customers, it seems, as the company reported significant losses in its Q1 statement for 2011. According to official Q1 financials, 471,000 contract customers either failed to re-up, or outright canceled their contracts. Stacked against a shortcoming growth of just 372,000 prepaid customers (including MVNO customers for sub-carriers), T-Mobile suffered a net loss of 99,000 users, a 29-percent increase in losses over the same period for the previous year. Ouch. The firm chalked its loss to increased "competitive pressures," which lends credence to AT&T's insistence that Sprint and Verizon are such fierce opponents that it has to acquire T-Mobile for the magenta-tinted carrier to stay in the game. You can judge the profits and pitfalls for yourself -- just hit the source link for the full financials.

Nearly half a million customers left T-Mobile in Q1 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 May 2011 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionATTbusinesscarriercompetitionindustryLTEmergemergermergers and acquisitionsMergersAndAcquisitionsnet lossNetLosspress releasePressReleaseQ1 2011q1-2011Q12011quarterly earningsquarterly reportsQuarterlyEarningsQuarterlyReportsT MobileT-MobileT-Mobile USAT-mobileUsaTMobileSun, 08 May 2011 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[DirecTV asks its customers what they like so much about Netflix, could launch competitor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/directv-asks-its-customers-what-they-like-so-much-about-netflix/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/directv-asks-its-customers-what-they-like-so-much-about-netflix/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/directv-asks-its-customers-what-they-like-so-much-about-netflix/#comments Just like our friends at TiVo, DirecTV likes to poll its customers occasionally about possible new features and its latest one was all about Netflix. Several tipsters have indicated to us and ZatzNotFunny they were asked to evaluate a possible Netflix-like online subscription video service that DirecTV would offer in addition to their current satellite TV. While premium video channels circle the wagons around Starz Play and HBO Go -- this also puts an interesting spin on last week's "mistweet" about streaming video coming to DirecTV apps -- type services and a network owned by the cable companies has already launched a similar service called Vutopia, it's possible DirecTV could be the next big all you can eat streaming competitor. Check out ZNF for a few more screengrabs, but all we know for sure right now is we're not the only ones wondering what would it take to pull you away from Netflix?

[Thanks, Mike & Patrick]

DirecTV asks its customers what they like so much about Netflix, could launch competitor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitiondirectvhbo goHboGointernet videoInternetVideonetflixpollsatellitesatellite tvSatelliteTvstreaming videoStreamingVideosubscriptionsurveyvutopiaxfinity tvXfinityTvTue, 26 Apr 2011 19:31:00 EST<![CDATA[L.A. Times sees possible competition for Netflix coming from Walmart, Best Buy, Vutopia and more]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/l-a-times-sees-possible-competition-for-netflix-coming-from-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/l-a-times-sees-possible-competition-for-netflix-coming-from-wal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/l-a-times-sees-possible-competition-for-netflix-coming-from-wal/#comments Until Amazon launched its Prime Instant Video service earlier this year Netflix was almost completely alone on the subscription video streaming mountaintop, but an article this weekend in the Los Angeles Times suggests there could be competition on the way. There's plenty of rumoring from analysts and the typical "people familiar with the matter, but their sources have been on the money in the past and indicate retailers like Walmart and Best Buy are seriously considering angling their Vudu and CinemaNow efforts in the subscription direction instead of VOD like they've done so far. Meanwhile Hulu Plus is reportedly considering expanding its movie selection, and Amazon is likely to puff up its offerings while iN Demand, the PPV baby of the cable companies, is considering expanding its 200~ title Vutopia service. Still, according to the article no one's signed any of the big checks necessary to take on the 20-million subscribers strong behemoth yet, but don't be surprised if serious competition arrives shortly.

L.A. Times sees possible competition for Netflix coming from Walmart, Best Buy, Vutopia and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon primeAmazonPrimebest buyBestBuycinemanowcompetitionhdhulu plusHuluPlusin demandInDemandinternet videoInternetVideomovie rentalMovieRentalnetflixprime instant videoPrimeInstantVideostreamingsubscriptionvuduvutopiawal martWalMartwatch instantlyWatchInstantlyFri, 22 Apr 2011 20:44:00 EST