Smartphones

Google Maps 5.0 adds 3D mode, offline features

Timed to coincide with today's release of the Nexus S, Google made good on its promise to launch an update to its Google Maps app. Now available in the Android Market, Maps 5.0 offers a few major improvements over its predecessors.

First up is the 3D capability, which lets users see a simulated skyline for more than 100 cities around the world. And thanks to the use of vectors, you can get a different perspective by tilting the map forward for an angled view. To get there, just drag two fingers downward across the display. The same multitouch … Read more

What to expect in networking at CES 2011

It's predicted that 2011 is the tipping year of networking, where more electronic devices have built-in networking capabilities than computers. And this isn't a surprise; over the past few years, more and more home entertainment devices, such as flat-screen TVs, media playback devices, game consoles, and so on, include an Ethernet port. Others use USB Wi-Fi dongles to connect to a wireless network, and many even come with a built-in Wi-Fi adapter.

As more and more devices in your home scramble to find ways to connect to one another and to the Internet, the wireless network might … Read more

Android app Tell My Geo helps track loved ones

We've written about people-tracking devices before, typically to keep track of elderly loved ones with some form of dementia. The downside has always been that those being tracked must remember to wear or carry the device that tracks them (i.e. a pendant, a watch, a shoe, etc.). The problem is built-in, so to speak.

Today the firm Iconosys, which develops safety-related mobile communication apps, has released Tell My Geo, a new app for Android OS smartphones to help keep track of those with dementia.

The app requires at least two phones, one for the person being looked after, … Read more

The 404 730: Where like, whatever, you know what I mean? (podcast)

Natali is back from her burrito-tour of San Francisco and hops back into the studio for the last Natali Thursday of 2010! Today's headlines include a video game controlled by your urine, a porn company making your Microsoft Kinect 3D sex simulation dreams come true, the most successful pickup lines according to geographic location, and we reveal the most irritating word of the year!

Sega finally unveils a video game that non-gamers like myself can enjoy, because the objective is to pee all over the game. Sega Toys is testing a new minigame in Japan called Toirrettsu that comes with a sensor that can measure the speed of urination and score games accordingly.

Japan hopes that the game will encourage people to take better aim in the bathroom, but Jeff tells us that America already has its own version of the pissing match.

You've been waiting for it since the day Microsoft unveiled the Kinect motion control accessory, and we've finally arrived: after two months, adult software vendor ThriXXX released a statement today describing forthcoming Kinect-powered software that will use gestures, spoken commands, and objects in a sexual gaming environment. This segment of the show is worth watching the video for Natali's gestures alone!

According to a survey from online dating site Badoo, the secret of international dating is to spout localized pick-up lines.

The site's "Compliment Success Index" analyzed over 200,000 online conversations in 11 languages to determine the best opening line for women from different countries. So the next time you're in a United Nations Security Council caucus, be sure to compliment that Portuguese woman on her perfect ears!

Episode 730 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Your phone is now a Chumby

Oh, the Chumby. It seems like only yesterday this little touch-screen beanbag landed in our hearts.

Today he's all grown up, running under the hood of Internet appliances like the Sony Dash, Insignia Infocast, and Chumby One. Sadly though, in spite of beating both Apple and Google to the app concept, the Chumby software has never broken into the world of mobile. Until now.

Starting today, you can download a $4.99 Android app that transforms your Android 2.2 smartphone into a Chumby (minus the beanbag and charms). You get the same streaming radio alarm clock, games, and Web apps, all served up within one app. The app does have one advantage over the original device, with its ability to add and delete Web apps on the fly, without a computer. … Read more

LG's Optimus 2X is first dual-core smartphone

LG dropped major news on the global front today with the introduction of the LG Optimus 2x. Code-named the LG Star, the "2x" is for twice the power and twice the speed, thanks to the phone's dual-core Tegra 2 processor, a first in the smartphone world. With great power comes great multimedia promise, as the phone boasts a stunning 4-inch WVGA screen, 8GB of internal memory (up to 32GB with microSD), HDMI mirroring, DLNA support, an accelerometer, a gyro sensor, and 1080p MPEG-4/H.264 playback and recording. To sweeten the deal, LG also threw in an … Read more

Dialed In 154: See ya, suckers! (podcast)

Just when you thought Nicole Lee was all sunshine and rainbows, she ends this week's podcast with the above farewell. Indeed, it was a Grinchy week in the studio as Bonnie shot down my hysterical jokes (well, I thought they were funny), I scolded Sanyo for naming its new phone the "Taho," and Jessica slams the Nexus S for not being special enough. Jessica may have nothing but love, but it wasn't a show filled with holiday cheer.

Cell phone goodness abounded, however, as we talked about even more Verizon iPhone rumors, additional MetroPCS 4G markets, … Read more

Dell provides update on Venue Pro delays

Over the past couple of days, there have been numerous reports and some confusion over whether shipments of the Dell Venue Pro have been delayed till January 6 (original estimated ship date was December 9).

We contacted Dell to try to get to the bottom of the situation and was directed to check out the Dell community blog where it is providing updates on the status of Windows Phone 7 device.

In the blog, Dell's chief blogger Lionel Menchaca admitted that it "recently experienced a slight delay in shipment times," which would affect the shipping date for … Read more

Adobe claims 10x performance from Flash Player 10.2

Flash Player 10.2 (currently in beta) is reportedly going to deliver 10 times better performance according to recent claims by Adobe's Principle Product Manager for Photoshop, John Nack.

The question that immediately comes to mind: "Is this too little, too late?"

Engineer Mike Melanson explains the enormous task load Flash must endure:

"In addition to decoding the data, [Flash] has to convert YUV data to the RGB colorspace and combine the image with other Flash elements. Then it has to cooperate with another application (web browser) to present the video to the user... It plays … Read more