Tech News Updates

Marantz has unveiled its 2010 line of high end receivers, amplifiers, pre amplifiers and Blu-ray players, and naturally the headlining upgrades have to do with streaming internet video access, Blu-ray 3D and HDMI 1.4 compatibility. You can check out the press releases for all the details, but we’ll highlight the UD7005 ($899, due in September) and UD5005 ($499, August) “Universal Media Players,” which earn the tag by including everything SACD, DVD-Audio, DivX and even Blu-ray 3D playback, plus improving on their predecessors by featuring DLNA v1.5 streaming access and built in Netflix and YouTube compatibility. One disappointment however, while some are still waiting for an updated version of the flagship SR8002 receiver , with only new editions in the form of the SR5005, SR6005 and SR7005 receivers. The SR7005 features six HDMI 1.4a inputs, with Windows 7-compatible DLNA, iPod, IP control, Pandora and the other usual feature boxes checked when it ships next month for $1,599. Marantz adds Blu-ray 3D, internet streaming features across 2010 Blu-ray, audio line originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

At present, Verizon only offers prepaid mobile broadband in buckets ranging from 100MB up to 1GB at prices from $15 to $50. Problem is, 1GB goes by in about two seconds if you’re YouTubin’ your way through a layover in Atlanta, enjoying a little too much Hulu and Pandora, or torrenting a few ISOs (perfectly legal ones, of course) — so to that end, we’re hearing that a 5GB option will be launching on August 23 for a breathtaking $80. Presumably, it’d be good for 30 days from the date of purchase the same as the current 1GB plan, though we don’t know that from the information we have. Sounds a little ridiculous to us, but we suppose that’s the price of contract freedom on a top-tier network these days. On a related note, we’re now hearing that the FiveSpot mobile hotspot we told you about is lined up for a late August launch as well, though we don’t have an exact day, and it’ll be officially replacing the MiFi — makes sense. If you already have a MiFi and you don’t do much international travel, it doesn’t seem like there’s a compelling reason to upgrade, but globetrotters are definitely going to want to check this out. [Thanks, RBF] Verizon launching $80 5GB prepaid data plan next month, FiveSpot too? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

At present, Verizon only offers prepaid mobile broadband in buckets ranging from 100MB up to 1GB at prices from $15 to $50. Problem is, 1GB goes by in about two seconds if you’re YouTubin’ your way through a layover in Atlanta, enjoying a little too much Hulu and Pandora, or torrenting a few ISOs (perfectly legal ones, of course) — so to that end, we’re hearing that a 5GB option will be launching on August 23 for a breathtaking $80. Presumably, it’d be good for 30 days from the date of purchase the same as the current 1GB plan, though we don’t know that from the information we have. Sounds a little ridiculous to us, but we suppose that’s the price of contract freedom on a top-tier network these days. On a related note, we’re now hearing that the FiveSpot mobile hotspot we told you about is lined up for a late August launch as well, though we don’t have an exact day, and it’ll be officially replacing the MiFi — makes sense. If you already have a MiFi and you don’t do much international travel, it doesn’t seem like there’s a compelling reason to upgrade, but globetrotters are definitely going to want to check this out. [Thanks, RBF] Verizon launching $80 5GB prepaid data plan next month, FiveSpot too? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Excited by some of the possibilities Kinect offers for non-casual games? Then it looks like you might have a bit of a wait in store. Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz , Microsoft’s VP for Interactive Entertainment in Europe, Chris Lewis, went to some length to point out that Microsoft isn’t ignoring core gamers, but would only go as far as to say that non-casual, “hybrid” games that use both Kinect and a standard controller would likely become available “over the coming 18 months or so.” Not many more details beyond that, unfortunately, but Lewis did divulge a bit of UK news, saying that sales went up “1,000 percent week-over-week with an 84 per cent market share” following the release of the new, redesigned Xbox 360. Microsoft says to expect non-casual, ‘hybrid’ Kinect games ‘over the coming 18 months’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Well, it’s about time. Touted back in March as one of the pillar apps to benefit from the new multitasking API, Skype has finally been updated to iOS 4 compatibility. We’re seeing crisper, more retina display-friendly graphics and, more importantly, background VoIP (not for iPhone 3G, naturally). A notification window will pop up when you’re called or messaged, and you can use other apps while on the line chatting to international friends at reduced rates. Even on the lock screen, if you receive a call, sliding to unlock will take you immediately into the call. Video chat still isn’t here — a darn shame given the lack of other options now — but now you’ve got even more of a reason to rack up those rollover minutes on AT&T’s voice plan. Download away! [Thanks, Tyler C] Skype updated for iOS 4, background VoIP is a go originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

The name may sound like something out of a Final Fantasy game, but we hear it stands for Music On the Go, and today MO is doing the name proud by bringing a wide swath of streaming music to Android and iPhone. $10 a month gives you access to 7.8 million songs, and during a completely unscientific impromptu testing session, that number actually included a reasonable amount of most everything we’d want. Of course, you don’t get to keep any of the 320Kbps MP3 files, merely store local copies on your phone for as long as you pony up, and even on Android (where we take task switching for granted) the merest jump to web browser stops those tracks cold. (MOG says it’s working on it, at least for the iOS 4 version.) We were also disappointed to find out the MOG Radio feature is nothing like we were told — rather than a Pandora you can tune to specific artists, the feature just seems to filter your existing queue. Playback options were also lacking in this early version (like volume and jog sliders) but at least MOG’s got a slick, robust discovery mode, and with this many songs to choose from that’s a very good thing. Both versions should be live immediately with three-day, no commitment trials, and there’s a press release after the break if you still need more info. Continue reading MOG arrives on iPhone, Android with 7.8 million songs but no multitasking mode MOG arrives on iPhone, Android with 7.8 million songs but no multitasking mode originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Ah, the LaserVue . Launched way back in the heyday that was 2008 , Mitsubishi’s 65-inch monster didn’t exactly fly off shelves being priced at seven large, but we still maintain that it’s the best looking consumer-level set we’ve ever laid eyes on. ‘Course, the fat-backed design didn’t exactly do it any favors in a world dominated by flatscreens, but we’ve always been willing to bend a little on the design for beautiful execution in the image quality department. To that end, we’re downright elated to hear that the forgotten line has been revived for 2010, with an all new 75-inch model (L75-A91) being introduced for those who just can’t find a television big enough to fill their 8,000 square foot den. The behemoth measures in at 41.7- x 66.4- x 15-inches (so yeah, it’s still got some junk in the trunk), and as you’d expect, it’s fully 3D ready. Mistu’s 3D Starter Pack is being sold alongside of it, containing a 3D emitter, 3D Adapter with remote, an HDMI cable and a Blu-ray Disc with a collection of clips to really show off your new purchase. Other specs include web connectivity (StreamTV can hit up VUDU , Pandora, Flickr, Picasa and more), four HDMI-CEC inputs, a wired IR output, 1080p native resolution and a price tag of “only” $5,999, not including the $399 3D Starter Pack and $99 3D Adapter. Oh, and be sure to call a buddy or four when it arrives — you know, considering that you can’t lift a 154 pound television on your own. Gallery: Mitsubishi L75-A91 LaserVue HDTV Mitsubishi’s LaserVue HDTV makes triumphant 75-inch return, becomes 3D-ready originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

The open-source Pandora handheld has had a long and arduous time to market, but the days of delay are apparently at an end. You gaze upon the very first Pandora off the assembly line — the fruit of over two years labor — and project leaders are presently shipping out the rest of the first completed batch, with scores if not hundreds already on the way. GP32X forum mod X68000 got this unit for his help in construction, which means you can see Pandora’s box literally opened at our source link (har har). Puns not your thing? Spot a batch of handhelds at the soldering station instead, right after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Continue reading Pandora handheld now shipping: first mass-produced unit unboxed, world somehow survives Pandora handheld now shipping: first mass-produced unit unboxed, world somehow survives originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 May 2010 05:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Dedicated internet radios have always been niche products; when you can get all the same content on your desktop, laptop or even smartphone, it’s hard to see the point of relying on WiFi. Without a traditional FM antenna, they’re chained to your network — if not your wall — and the lack of keyboard input for setup and channel search furthers their plight. Even so, there must be something to it, as this gadget category refuses to die, so we thought we’d give one promising newcomer a good, thorough try. The Grace Digital Allegro caught our attention with a packed feature list (including Pandora) and a clean, mobile design. Did it enthrall or disappoint? Find out after the break. Continue reading Grace Digital Allegro review Grace Digital Allegro review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Yeah, we spotted the Dash at Best Buy a few days ago, accidentally eating up shelf space, but we’ve finally hit that April 29th launch date and Sony has unleashed the non-tablet touchscreen device into the wild. The $199 unit, which is somewhat of a branded Chumby , sports a 7-inch screen, best-alarm-clock-you-ever-owned good looks, and access to streaming media from CBS, Netflix , Pandora, and more. If you can bottle your enthusiasm for just a bit longer we’ll have our own impressions of the device posted soon enough, but nobody’s stopping you from snapping this up from Sony’s website, your local Sony Style store, or whatever other retailer you might have in mind. PR is after the break. Continue reading Sony’s Dash goes on sale, officially this time Sony’s Dash goes on sale, officially this time originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink