Microsoft details the new Games Hub for Windows Phone Mango

Still not clear on what your gaming options will be like with Windows Phone Mango? Then Microsoft’s now got you covered with a fairly extensive overview of its new Games Hub, which has actually been tweaked a bit further from earlier previews it’s offered. One of the biggest changes is that the Hub now includes features previously relegated to the separate Xbox Live Extras app, including improved Xbox Live messaging, integrated achievements (complete with comparison views with your friends), and the ability to edit your Xbox Live profile — not to mention fully animated 3D avatars. The Hub also boasts a new Collection view that promises to let you more easily manage your installed Windows Phone games, and it’s literally been brightened up a bit across the board. Check out the gallery below for a closer look, and hit the source link for some more details.

Microsoft details the new Games Hub for Windows Phone Mango originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan creates frankenstein pop idol, sells candy




Sure, Japan’s had its fair share of holographic and robotic pop idols, but they always seem to wander a bit too far into the uncanny valley. Might an amalgam composite pop-star fare better? Nope, still creepy — but at least its a new kind of creepy. Eguchi Aimi, a fictional idol girl created for a Glico candy ad, is comprised of the eyes, ears, nose, and other facial elements of girls from AKB48, a massive (over 50 members) all-female pop group from Tokyo. Aimi herself looks pretty convincing, but the way she never looks away from the camera makes our skin crawl ever so slightly. Check out the Telegraph link below to see her pitch Japanese sweets while staring through your soul.

Japan creates frankenstein pop idol, sells candy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Archos intros 80 G9 and 101 G9 Android 3.1 tablets: 1.5GHz CPU, 250GB HDD, 3G-ready (hands-on)

Angling for a new Android 3.1 tablet, are ya? If so, Archos has a new pair emerging from Paris today, the 80 G9 and 101 G9. Predictably, the biggest differentiator between the two is the screen size, with the former offering an 8-inch panel with a 1024 x 768 screen resolution and the latter stepping up to a 10.1-incher (1280 x 800). Both of ’em are proudly using Seagate’s 7mm Momentus Thin in order to scale to 250GB, but of course, only time will tell how a power-hungry HDD will do in tablet form factor.

Under the hood, you’ll find a dual-core OMAP 4 processor (1.5GHz ARM Cortex A9), support for Flash, access to the Android Market and a full-size USB port — one that’s good for accepting the outfit’s new G9 3G WWAN stick ($49). You’ll also get an HDMI output, support for 1080p playback and a pay-as-you-go option with the aforesaid 3G dongle. The duo is scheduled to go on sale at the end of September (you know, just a month or two before Ice Cream Sandwich makes Honeycomb look like old hat), with the 80 G9 going for $279 and the 101 G9 for $349. Don’t ever say Archos’ accountants didn’t look out for you.

Update: We snagged a gallery’s worth of hands-on shots from Archos’ reveal today in Paris. We’re running back for more as we type, so hang tight!

Update 2: A reader over at Engadget Spanish noticed that the ES specifications link for the new G9 tablets mentions a 16GB + microSD arrangement for those who aren’t feeling a 250GB HDD. Interesting!

Continue reading Archos intros 80 G9 and 101 G9 Android 3.1 tablets: 1.5GHz CPU, 250GB HDD, 3G-ready (hands-on)

Archos intros 80 G9 and 101 G9 Android 3.1 tablets: 1.5GHz CPU, 250GB HDD, 3G-ready (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nevada prepares itself for the imminent rise of driverless cars

Driverless cars are still a way’s away from hitting the mainstream, but when they do, the glorious state of Nevada will be ready for ’em. This week, the state passed a new law that will require its Department of Transportation to “adopt regulations authorizing the operation of autonomous vehicles on highways within the State of Nevada.” More specifically, the DOT will have to cook up a set of safety standards for self-driving vehicles, and designate specific areas in which they can be tested. Invisible drivers immediately hailed the decision as a watershed victory in their ongoing struggle for civil rights.

Nevada prepares itself for the imminent rise of driverless cars originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stolen password search website launched

A website that lets people check whether their email addresses, usernames and passwords have been stolen in a cyberattack and posted online has been launched by an Australian who is a former IT security consultant.

HP announces Pivot for TouchPad, the curated, magazine-like way to find some apps

HP announces TouchPad Pivot, the curated, magazine-like way to find some apps

Finding apps can be tough, especially when your Store or Marketplace is overwhelmed with a daily flood of debutantes. That’s not exactly a problem for HP, whose App Catalog for the webOS 3.0 TouchPad officially launches on July 1st and will be, the company admits, a little spartan at first. But HP has a plan for a future flood of apps: Pivot. It’s basically a curated digital magazine that will present a selection of apps someone at HP found interesting for whatever reason — a way for users to discover new downloads and, more importantly, for niche developers to not get lost in the shuffle. HP hopes this will attract developers, taking a different approach from the competition, which often resorts to outright promises of cash to pique their interest — but a few free TouchPads never hurts .

Continue reading HP announces Pivot for TouchPad, the curated, magazine-like way to find some apps

HP announces Pivot for TouchPad, the curated, magazine-like way to find some apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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appBlaster iPhone accessory lets you kick AR alien butt, bubblegum not included

AppBlaster

Gun accessories for your Wiimote or Move wands are old hat but, we can’t help but be at least a little intrigued by this rifle-like dock for the iPhone. The appBlaster is an accessory from apptoyz designed specifically for use with the company’s Alien Attack iOS game. Slide in your iDevice and fire up the AR shooter and you'll be treated to a bit of Piper-vision, exposing the invisible aliens in our midst. Pull the triggers and two capacitive pads touch the screen to fire at the invaders that only you can see. The appBlaster is available for pre-order now at RED5 for £19.99 (about $32) and will official hit shelves on July 7. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading appBlaster iPhone accessory lets you kick AR alien butt, bubblegum not included

appBlaster iPhone accessory lets you kick AR alien butt, bubblegum not included originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hulu Plus for Android is available now… for six devices

The good news is that Hulu Plus for Android is on the market, but the bad news is that you may not be able to install it yet. The official Hulu Blog has just been updated with news that six phones — Nexus One, Nexus S, HTC Inspire 4G, Motorola Droid II, Motorola Droid X, and the Motorola Atrix — are on the compatible list with “additional device announcements” due later in the year. While there’s some crossover with the list of Netflix-compatible devices, it’s hardly complete and many flagship phones are still missing. Here’s hoping the tweakers can work their magic on that apk and get it running for the rest of us, whether we’re shelling out $7.99 a month or just want to leech some Chappelle’s Show eps on a free one week trial. If you can’t get it running yourself, check out a quick video demo embedded after the break.

[Thanks, Tyler, Isaac]

Continue reading Hulu Plus for Android is available now… for six devices

Hulu Plus for Android is available now… for six devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Merel Mtouch multitouch table hands-on (video)


Multitouch tables haven’t exactly hit the mainstream, but price is likely to be a major factor. Merel’s Mtouch table brings that familiar Microsoft Surface-like multitouch functionality for a fraction of the price, retailing for $3,995, or about half as much as Surface. The 720p, 32-inch display doesn’t sacrifice on power — a 3.2Ghz quad-core Intel Quad i5 Sandy Bridge processor and dedicated Radeon HD 1GB video card keep the Windows 7-based interface running smoothly — but the table’s display suffers from some uniformity issues, likely due to the pair of super-bright LEDs used to light it.

We spent a few minutes with the Mtouch at the CEA LineShows in NYC, and liked what we saw — once we got past the lighting issues, which appear slightly exaggerated in the photo above (notice the two bright spots near our subject’s fingers). Content is loaded using a web interface, and the table is compatible with a variety of formats, including PDFs, which are displayed as “magazines” with easy-flip pages. The table is in the early stages of production — just 30 have been made and sold so far, assembled completely at Merel’s factory in Yonkers, NY. They are available for purchase now, however, and should be shipped to your door within 30-days of placing an order. Jump past the break as we go hands-on with the Merel Mtouch.

Continue reading Merel Mtouch multitouch table hands-on (video)

Merel Mtouch multitouch table hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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