Yes, there was notable news in HD this week, but nothing gets Richard as fired up as Fantasy Football and GTA V. Thankfully, we were able pull him away from his Xbox for an hour of recording with Ben. The Engadget HD podcast is ready for a listen below.
Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler
Producer: Joe Pollicino
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Can't make it to the office in time to join the weekly conference call through Skype? Don't fret -- Skype has just updated its iPad and iPhone apps to let users join group voice calls. The releases also improve video and voice quality. Either update is otherwise quite light, but those who want to always stay in the loop can grab the new Skype versions at the source links.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Mobile, Microsoft
Via: The Next Web
Source: App Store (iPad), (iPhone)
There's no doubt that Pandora is feeling the heat from iTunes Radio. The company isn't letting its competitor's launch go unanswered, however. It just unveiled a redesigned Pandora 5.0 app for iOS that gives iPad users several features that were previously iPhone-only, including deeper artist exploration, social music sharing and an option for more variety in stations. The release also makes better use of the big screen through a panel that helps listeners find related music without skipping a beat. Android tablets will get these perks later in the fall, Pandora says. The firm may still have a tough time luring iPad owners away from Apple's streaming service, but the new Pandora app is free to use -- it won't hurt to tune in.
Filed under: Tablets, Internet, Mobile
Via: CNET
Source: App Store, Pandora Blog
The Roku 3 might not be the only Roku set-top box arriving this year: an unannounced 2700X has just passed through the FCC for approval. The filing shows a streaming hub that's curvy like the Roku 3, but is limited to single-band, 2.4GHz 802.11n WiFi. Combine this spec with the low model number (the Roku 3 is the 4200X) and it's not hard to figure out what we're looking at -- this is an entry-level device based on Roku's newer design language. When the company's confidentiality request to the FCC will expire in less than 90 days, we'd expect the 2700X to launch relatively soon. Check out a second image of the hardware after the break.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: FCC
Wind Mobile apparently isn't worried that it has to fend without Verizon's help: the carrier has confirmed to MobileSyrup that it will participate in Canada's 700MHz wireless auction. While the provider doesn't have much more to share at this stage, it sees the LTE-friendly spectrum bid as proof of a "long-term commitment" to the country. The company will still have to win spectrum to better compete with Bell, Rogers and Telus, but its entry should assuage Canucks worried that only the incumbents can afford to buy more bandwidth.
Update: EastLink and Public Mobile are also committed to the auction. Mobilicity, however, has yet to reveal its plans; if it doesn't announce its participation in the auction before noon today, it's out of the running.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
Source: MobileSyrup
The words red and October together might conjure up thoughts of Tom Clancy or Kanye West, but now you can also associate them with Bowers & Wilkins. Starting next month, the company will offer up its compact P3 headphones in the vibrant hue. The latest color option for the iPhone-compatible on-ear cans joins the likes of the blue, black and white variants for the same $200 price tag. If you like your headphones to look as loud as they sound, you'll find more details in the press release after the break. Here's to hoping the P5 gets a similarly rosey treatment soon.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Wearables
Now that Google has finished updating its Map app's UI, the company can focus on the finer details: navigation, documentation and monetization. The Android app's latest update tweaks hotel search results by adding sponsored rate and booking links, which places a tiny "ad" icon next to services that paid for exposure. Navigation has been also been improved, with better traffic and route information, and the side menu now has a "tips and tricks" option that inelegantly opens a maps help page in your device's web browser. Check out the official update notes at the Google Play link below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Source: Google Play
Back from IFA at our HQ in NYC, it's the Engadget Podcast. Brian, Dana and Terrence share their initial thoughts about the latest iPhones, but you might be surprised to find out which model they're most looking forward to (Dana, at least). Get to streaming below to find out.
Hosts: Brian Heater, Dana Wollman, Terrence O'Brien
Producer: Joe Pollicino
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Filed under: Podcasts
To date, Straight Talk's LTE support has been limited to a warmed-over Sprint version of the Galaxy S III. Now there's a much better option: the prepaid carrier has started selling SIM cards that support unlocked devices with AT&T-compatible LTE. The upgrade potentially offers a better bargain than AT&T's own Aio Wireless, giving customers unlimited LTE data, voice and text for $45 per month versus Aio's $55. It's not quite paradise, however. Straight Talk is known to throttle data, which could prove all the more frustrating at 4G speeds.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, AT&T
Via: Droid-Life
Source: Straight Talk
Aside from checking out the new iPhone 5c and 5s at this week's event in Cupertino, Myriam finally met Tim Cook face to face. How did it go? Let's just say it involved an awkward encounter with a Lumia 1020. This is the Engadget Mobile Podcast and you can get to streaming below.
Hosts: Myriam Joire, Brad Molen, Michael Gorman
Producer: Joe Pollicino
Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)
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