Tech News Updates

Hands up if you’ve ever heard of BridgeCo. No? Us neither, but that’s about to change following a CNBC report detailing the company’s relationship with Apple. BridgeCo is in the business of embedding its network media processor and software stack into its partners’ audio equipment to enable wireless streaming. Now, according to a CNBC interview with BridgeCo CEO Gene Sheridan, Apple decided sometime last year to make BridgeCo an AirPlay launch partner. As such, any vendor that embeds BridgeCo’s newest tech will be able to accept streaming audio (and its metadata) from an iTunes library or handheld iOS 4.2 device — there’s no mention of video or picture streaming although AirPlay supports both. According to CNBC , audio gear should start arriving with the BridgeCo software in time for the holidays allowing iTunes users to “mix and match their favorite equipment with a common software.” What that means isn’t exactly clear, though BridgeCo does offer the ability to link systems into a distributed home audio network that includes a “party mode” where all speakers are synced to play from a common source. Importantly, according to Sheridan, this is the first time that Apple has opened up its iTunes software to a third party, giving it a glimpse at the source code. Exclusively? That’s the big question. When Apple announced AirPlay , it listed Denon, Marantz, B&W, JBL, and iHome as “featured” partners. Coincidentally, in a blog post published two days after Apple’s fall music event , BridgeCo listed all of these brands, with the exception of Marantz, as partners of its own. If you’ll recall, the “Made for iPod” licensing program has provided a steady stream of revenue for Apple since 2005. And in the last few years, Apple has relied upon a proprietary authentication chip to authorize device compatibility and to unlock features such as video streaming. Apple undoubtedly seeks similar control over the expected rush of AirPlay-enabled devices in order to ensure a consistent user experience while making a few bucks on every third party accessory sold. So is BridgeCo the new chip and software behind a “Made for AirPlay” accessory certification program? We can’t say for sure. Sheriden does let on that the Apple deal’s impact is “immense” and should provide more than half of the company’s revenues. Needless to say, the idea of combining systems from multiple brands into a unified whole-home audio network is certainly attractive. Sonos and Squeezebox, your approach to distributed wireless audio is officially on notice. Is BridgeCo the foundation for ‘Made for AirPlay’ Apple accessories? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he’ll explore where our industry is and where it’s going — on both micro and macro levels — with the unique wit and insight only he can provide. This week at what’s become Apple’s fall music event the company unveiled a revised Apple TV. The small $99 device delivers a new rental model and support for Netflix, but there are no apps, contrary to much of the speculation leading up the event. That’s in stark contrast to the Google TV project announced at I/O last spring. Unlike Apple, Google is looking to provide DVR functionality, search, and an app marketplace. Some say Apple isn’t being bold enough, but I think Apple might be right. Google wants input one on your TV. Apple wants input two. The difference? Input one is where your cable box goes. Input two was where your VCR or DVD player used to live. It’s a port that’s up for grabs. Continue reading Entelligence: A tale of two TVs Entelligence: A tale of two TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Been wondering how much T-Mobile’s first HSPA+ phone will set you back? Why, it’s that most generic of all smartphone prices: $199 with a two-year commitment or $499 without. To be fair to T-Mo, the G2 was one phone that it could plausibly have upmarked to, say $249, as Sprint has done with the Epic 4G , but nope, it’s landing squarely in the middle of the well beaten path to smartphone sales. There is the dreaded specter of a $50 mail-in rebate to deal with, but we doubt it’ll be enough to dampen anticipation for what’s looking like the next great Android slider phone. T-Mobile G2 priced at $199 with contract, $499 without, by latest leak originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Ooh boy, do we have a good one for you today. We’ve been tipped off that the HD3 — HTC’s mythical successor to the wildly popular HD2 — is not only alive and kicking, but headed for a bright and sunny Windows Phone 7 future, starting as early as October 18. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, all the evidence we have for now is the above spreadsheet, which we’re told is an internal planning doc from UK carrier O2. It’s not exactly the hardest thing in the world to forge so keep your skeptical wits about you, but as silly as this inflationary renaming to HD7 may sound, we find it strangely believable. After all, why wouldn’t the company that brought us the Incredible Wildfire of Desire jump ahead a few numbers to keep up with the hot new OS’ numbering? [Thanks, ZaK] HTC HD3 to be named HD7 in honor of Windows Phone 7, launch October 18? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

It’s called the G2, it’ll run Android, and it’s T-Mobile’s first phone to ride those wannabe-4G HSPA+ airwaves. Those are the facts we have. As to the speculation, a previous roadmap leak and T-Mobile’s own reps indicate it’ll be a HTC-built handset set for a September release, while a careful eyeballing of that silhouette leads us to thinking it’s the same device as the purported myTouch HD we’ve been seeing around here lately. Whatever it is, it’s coming soon! [Thanks, Daniel] T-Mobile G2 gets a teaser site, will be network’s first HSPA+ phone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

It was almost exactly a month ago that we reported on swirling rumors of Microsoft pulling together a multitouch-capable mouse to call its own , while earlier this week we saw the company’s Twitter feed enlivened with teasers of a mysterious new touch-input device . Coincidence? No chance, says Neowin , whose insider source confirms the Arc Touch Mouse moniker and also adds that launch is expected in September. It’s said this peripheral will come with just basic touch functionality initially, with multitouch presumably being thrown in via a later update. Sounds like Microsoft’s version of the Magic Trackpad , though the Mouse part of its name suggests it’ll also be able to track around your desktop like a more conventional rodent as well. That’d certainly offer more versatility than the stationary Apple option, but we have our doubts about the ergonomics of using a flat mouse over long periods of time. More should be known soon, provided @msfthardware keeps feeling loquacious. Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse rumor resurfaces in relation to ‘flat and touchy’ teaser, expected in September originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

The latest word from behind Apple-authorized cashiers is that Cupertino has stopped shipping out fresh stock of its entry-level 21-inch iMac . The Core 2 Duo-equipped machines were already looking long in the tooth in this Core i- something era, and so predictably the latest speculation centers around the idea of Apple taking its full iMac range into Core i3, i5 and i7 territory. Nobody really knows any of the specs for the moment, but resellers are apparently being advised to sell through what stock they have and to “keep inventories lean” for the next few weeks. Considering Apple’s last all-in-one overhaul coincided with the introduction of the Magic Mouse , we’re starting to suspect the company might have another iMac plus touch input device combo coming — potentially in the very near future. iMac refresh is imminent, according to reseller sources originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

As if waiting around until fall to get iOS 4 weren’t enough of a downer for iPad owners, the latest rumor we’re hearing is that they’ll have to pay a fee in order to do so. That’s right, for the privilege of waiting patiently to get some semblance of multitasking on your slate device, you’ll have to pony up the cash — or so the story goes. Stuff has it on strong authority from app developers in the know that Apple will be asking for a (relatively small) tithe from those wishing to update their iPads when the leaves start turning amber. We’d advise keeping the pitchforks stowed for now — at least until there’s some solid corroboration for this — but then it’s not like Apple hasn’t done this before . Update: Apple’s iPad licensing docs have been known to carry a provision that the “next major iPad OS software release” will be free, although iOS 4 and the word “free” do not happen to coincide in the same sentence — overall though, that renders this rumor rather less likely to materialize. Apple to charge upgrade fee for iPads moving to iOS 4? (update: unlikely) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

The lesser of ASUS’ two Eee Pad tablets announced at Computex this year, the EP101TC , is getting itself a software rejig ahead of its planned early 2011 launch. Originally slated to run on Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Compact 7 — a wordy OS, if nothing else — the Pad will now entrust its operational infrastructure to Google’s Android . ASUS is currently working on prototypes with Froyo on board, but Gingerbread (or Android 3.0 ) has not been ruled out as a possible final OS choice. We’re told to expect the first public demos at CES 2011, with retail units likely following on from there at a relatively brisk pace. ASUS Eee Pad EP101TC opts for Android, dumps Windows Embedded Compact 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

We’ve heard the rumors, hell, we’ve even seen Intel reference designs (pictured) running the MeeGo OS. But now we seem to have confirmation that a proper MeeGo tablet built by Nokia is on the way. Anssi Vanjoki , Nokia’s newly crowned chief of Mobile Solutions, said the following in an interview captured by the Wall Street Journal : Due to the spread of cloud computing and new advances in electronics and network technology, mobile devices will increasingly move beyond smartphones to include other computer-like gadgets such as tablets, and the MeeGo platform will be an important asset for Nokia. Remember, Nokia already makes a netbook and the smartphone qualifier would seem to remove any speculation that Anssi is referring to its Internet Tablet class of Maemo devices. So maybe, just maybe that rumored 7- or 9-inch Nokia tablet is real. Did we say maybe? Did Nokia just confirm a MeeGo tablet? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink