Vlingo bows to Google Voice Actions, makes Android version free of charge

August 15, 2010 · Posted in Technology · Comment 

When Google Navigation hit the scene, it sounded the death knell for paid GPS on Android, so you can imagine the doom and gloom at Vlingo HQ last week when Google released the similar Voice Actions for free. As it turns out, however, Vlingo’s not going to give up that easily; Vlingo for Android, once a $10 download, is now free as well. In a surprisingly gracious blog post that genuinely congratulates Google on the accomplishment, CEO Dave Grannan explains that he wants Android users to be able to freely compare the services as Vlingo adds features further down the road, and makes one valid point in his firm’s favor — you can try Vlingo now if you’ve got Android 2.0 or above, but Google’s service only runs on Froyo. Interestingly enough, Vlingo on Android was the only version that actually charged; on Nokia, Blackberry and Windows Mobile, however, you could purchase a “Plus” license. Perhaps the company’s not quite as generous as we thought, but there’s still no arguing with a free voice command service that also reads your email aloud — go ahead and give it a try.

Vlingo bows to Google Voice Actions, makes Android version free of charge originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Aug 2010 15:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anybots QB telepresence robot: nag employees remotely for $15,000

July 29, 2010 · Posted in Technology · Comment 
Anybots has a new telepresence robot, the QB — and while it certainly seems to be an advance on the QA, which we saw at CES 2009, we gotta admit that it’s not nearly as cute as its predecessor. Marketed towards CEO-types, this bad boy can be controlled via your PC (or eventually your Mac), and it features WiFi b/g connectivity, 5 megapixel camera, speaker, microphone, and a max speed of 3.5 MPH. To be honest, having your boss follow you around the office with a webcam-on-wheels sounds more like a NewsRadio plot than effective office management, but certainly there’s someone rich and crazy enough to drop $15,000 on one of these. The first hundred to put down ten percent get membership in the prestigious 100 Club! For reals! Which reminds us, it’s been awhile since we’ve listened to our Sex Pistols Live At The 100 Club CD. PR, video after the break.

Continue reading Anybots QB telepresence robot: nag employees remotely for $15,000

Anybots QB telepresence robot: nag employees remotely for $15,000 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC makes Super LCD screens for Desire and Nexus One official

July 26, 2010 · Posted in Technology · Comment 

Welcome back to our “worst kept secrets” hour, where HTC has seen fit to release a PR blast informing the world of what it already knew: the Desire and Nexus One are getting Super (duper) LCD displays to fill demand that Samsung’s AMOLED division cannot. Interestingly, HTC’s statement says nothing of the Droid Incredible, a close sibling to these 3.7-inch devices, but the global Nexus One and Desire are getting hooked up “later this summer.” CEO Peter Chou has also helpfully explained that the visual experience on the new SLCD screens is “comparable” to AMOLED, but offers better battery performance. Color us curious to see and hear more.

Continue reading HTC makes Super LCD screens for Desire and Nexus One official

HTC makes Super LCD screens for Desire and Nexus One official originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FLO TV losing money, Qualcomm looking for an out?

July 22, 2010 · Posted in Technology · Comment 
So it seems that founding and operating a broadcast mobile TV business is no mean feat: as mocoNews points out, there is spectrum to be purchased and transmission towers to be networked — all before you can sell electronics manufacturers on carrying your chipset in their devices. Unfortunately for Qualcomm, it looks like FLO TV has been something less than profitable, a reality that CEO Paul Jacobs owned up to in the company’s Q3 conference call. What is there to be done, then? Jacobs been decidedly tight-lipped, only saying that there have been “a lot of interesting discussions” and that it (whatever “it” is) will go down “in the next year.” As the AP points out, there are a few possibilities: the business could be sold to a third party, for which Qualcomm would supply the chipsets. Qualcomm could acquire a company that already supplies mobile services (GPS or satellite radio, for instance) that wants to add mobile TV. Or, with spectrum being at such a premium, they could just shut down the network and use the spectrum for something else. It’ll be interesting to see what happens, although we’re pretty sure what won’t happen: we probably won’t be buying a Personal Television any time soon.

FLO TV losing money, Qualcomm looking for an out? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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