Video Game Design Between 1990-2008 | Webdesigner Depot
I haven’t even had my Apple TV for a week yet, but I’m comfortable saying that I undertand its current features and functionality. Honestly, I think it’s great. I can stream content from my Macbook Pro, rent movies and TV shows from iTunes, and the remote is super sexy. Perhaps most importantly, I don’t have to use the throwaway crap Blu-ray DVDs Netflix hands out to PS3 owners like quarter-cent religious tracts. No, Apple TV has the native app, right now. Sweet.
But you know what Apple TV is lacking though? The no-brainer, that-just-makes-sense kind of feature that will no doubt pop up in an update before too long? Other apps! It’s hard to imagine launching the all new, super small, sexy little box without such support after reworking so many other aspects of the product, but that’s the situation–iPhone, iPad, and television-specific apps are a no-go for the living room set.
Google has another plan in mind for their television counterpart, and it apparently includes launching their kickin’ new product with apps in effect. Check it out, along with Google’s TV site, google.com/tv:
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According to Google’s announcement today, it seems that content providers really, really like the idea of Google TV – which is a good sign, as content can often make or break new platforms. Specifically, Google say they’ve "been overwhelmed by interest from partners on how they can use the Google TV platform." And by "partners," they mean a fairly significant number of big players:
- Turner Broadcasting has been hard at work optimizing some of their most popular websites for viewing on Google TV, including TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, available anytime through Google
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Google Mobile Blog has announced that Street View on Android has now explored all 7 continent on our lovely planet. The latest additions were Brazil, Ireland, and Antarctica. Now you can be standing at the mall outside your wife’s favorite clothing shops and daydream about sun & relaxation on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (pictured above). Or perhaps you enjoy the calming countryside in Ring of Kerry, Ireland (below). In any case, the world is yours to explore – at least from the roadsides where the infamous Google cam cars have driven.
Visit all 7 continents with Google’s Street View
While details on a release date are still sketchy, Logitech has big plans for their Revue Google TV box. The set-top Android device should hit shelves just in time for the holiday season, and the company and its partners are hoping Google TV will be the must-have gift. So confident is Logitech in the Revue that they are gearing up to move 500 thousand units from factory to store before 2010 ticks away. There is even word that some shipments are already making their way from Taiwan to the US in anticipation of an early October release.
Now keep in mind shipping forecasts don’t necessarily mean sales forecasts. Logitech sure hopes 500 thousand households want a Google TV box this year, but you also must remember it won’t be the only avenue to get Google TV. There are Sony televisions and Dish Network boxes for that as well. So even if GTV is a huge success it won’t be all on Logitech’s supply chain to provide the units. The Revue does however come across as the most logical choice for those who aren’t planning to buy a new HDTV any time soon and prefer not to be subscribed to Dish Network. I, for one, call dibs on one of those 500 thousand Revue boxes though.
[via CrunchGear]
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Quick. How do you get the attention of a room full of Japanese people? Robots. Big remote controlled robots. And that is exactly what this RIC Android did at the Google Developer’s Day in Tokyo. The big green Droid can walk, move its arms, and open wide to reveal a set of speakers all through commands sent over Wi-Fi from an Android phone.
And Google wants to hire the thing out to those willing to pay the price. No, this ain’t a two cent hooker. This big boy will go for $6,200 a day. A small price to pay if you need to keep those Japanese business men in town to decide whether or not they want to invest in your app startup busy all day.
[via Gizmodo]
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I love all the things people have been able to do with the Nexus One. It really is a testament to Google releasing a phone that they wanted to get into developers’ hands with an OS that is capable of doing so much more than just making phone calls and sending texts. We have already seen the N1 reach towards the heavens aboard a rocket, but now the phone is getting spacey in a different way. The NASA Ames Research team has built up a system to control one of their rovers with the Nexus.
Now don’t get too excited, as we probably won’t be driving moon rovers around from the comfort of our living room using our cell phones anytime soon — the remote controller is set up to work over Bluetooth via an Arduino board strapped on to the rover. Check out the video below for a quick demonstration.
[via Android Community]
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We have been hearing about the Altek Leo off and on for the past few months, and even though the phone will carry Android 2.1 and a screen on the smaller size at 3.2-inches any possible hardware and software shortcomings you could think of are immediately forgotten in light of the phones epic 14MP camera with 3X optical zoom capabilities and 720p HD video recording. It was announced to be hitting Asia sometime in Q4 of this year, but Altek is now currently shopping the phone for a European release as well. While no carrie partners seem to have been locked down at this time, Altek is promising the beast will hit Europe’s shores in Q1 of 2011.
And if having what basically amounts to a digital camera with smartphone functionality in your pocket isn’t enough to get you excited about the Leo, we are now learning the phone will be a 3.5G handset capable of HSUPA speeds up to 5.76mbps and HSDPA speed of up to 7.2mbps. That should make it super convenient for uploading all those high quality photos at full resolution.
[via Android Authority]
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The up side to being the first kid on your block with an HSPA+ device? You get stupidly mad speeds on the T-Mobile G2. This comes not from our boy Jeremy Sikora's G2, but from an anonymous tipster (geographically unknown as well as anonymous in name), so you can argue the validity all you want. And, no, it's not like the browser's going to be processing pages at that speed. But downloads, well, that's another story. Have at it, folks. Thanks, anonymous!
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
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Per this post in the USA Today, the StartTalking by AdelaVoice app is available the Android Market now or you can download here. According to the presser, the application will allow the sending of text messages with voice even when the screen is dark. Just start talking.
'StartTalking is billed as the world's first smartphone app that lets motorists keep their eyes glued to the road and hands upon the wheel when composing a text. The company claims that unlike other text messaging apps that require you to peek at or touch the handset at some point, StartTalking is all voice-controlled all the way. There's no need to open any app or navigate menus. It can even operate when the phone screen is dark or the keypad is locked You simply bark out a pre-assigned name to 'wake up' the phone and start StartTalking. Following audio prompts—'Speak to create a text message for Ed or say 'cancel,'' you can dictate and properly route your message. StartTalking can play back texts too.'
StartTalking lets users send texts by voice all without touch originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Google Mobile Blog has announced that Street View on Android has now explored all 7 continent on our lovely planet. The latest additions were Brazil, Ireland, and Antarctica. Now you can be standing at the mall outside your wife’s favorite clothing shops and daydream about sun & relaxation on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (pictured above). Or perhaps you enjoy the calming countryside in Ring of Kerry, Ireland (below). In any case, the world is yours to explore – at least from the roadsides where the infamous Google cam cars have driven.
Visit all 7 continents with Google’s Street View
If you’re on the East Coast you may have noticed the torrential downpours and monsoon-like winds running rampant around the area, but fans still turned out en masse to be the first to own the limited Motorola Droid 2 Empire Strikes Back Edition (I too braved the weather to get my hands on the Droid everyone was looking for, but more on that later). The Columbia, Maryland store opened early and featured staff dressed as characters from the Star Wars universe, including Obi Wan Kenobi, Chewbacca, and the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader.
Other fans around the country had to brave less treacherous conditions to snag the R2-D2 emblazoned handset, free shwag, and a chance to chill with Chewie, but reports rolling in show there was no lack of love for Verizon’s Star Wars-themed launch events.
The phone is available online and at select stores around the country. For a list of where you can snatch up a handset (if they aren’t already sold out) check out this post from yesterday. You can read up on the handset through the press release below.
"May the DROID Be With You: Limited Edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Lands on verizon wireless’ Network
DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Brings the Galactic Empire to CustomersBASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Verizon Wireless announced that the highly anticipated limited edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com and in select Verizon Wireless Communication stores beginning Sept. 30. With a graphic design to look like the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars™ Saga, the DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be packaged in a custom box resembling carbonite and come with a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset. Exclusive content comes pre-loaded on the special edition smartphone, including:
R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones
Four live wallpapers
R2-D2 Clock Widget
“The Best of R2-D2” video with the original Cantina music
Exclusive Binoculars AppStar Wars Mobile App Available for All Customers with Android 2.1 phones
To celebrate 30 years since the film hit theaters, customers with Android devices running Android 2.1 or higher will soon be able to get the Empire Strikes Back app from Android Market™. The app, only for Verizon Wireless customers, allows Jedi Masters to browse, preview and download Star Wars content related to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. Verizon Wireless customers can access premium Star Wars content for a one-time charge of $2.99.
The Star Wars mobile app will have the following features and content:
Bounty Hunt Visual ID: Find and capture images around the Star Wars universe to unlock hidden content
Sound and Photo Gallery
Live Wallpapers:
Blast the Probe Droid
Luke Balancing Yoda
Navigating the Asteroid Field
Watch Bespin’s Cloud City
Trivia Challenge: Answer trivia questions about the Empire Strikes Back
WidgetsThe DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan (beginning at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access). Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
For more information on DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola, go to www.droiddoes.com/r2d2.
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About Verizon WirelessVerizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to mobile and wireline digital communication devices that provide compelling experiences, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $22 billion in 2009. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.
