posts on CNET - Page 63

Revamped Apple TV coming this fall?

That revamped Apple TV we heard about a few months ago? It might be headed our way shortly.

Apple TV has long been a "hobby" for Apple, a project the company considers a work in progress, not a flagship product like the iPhone or Mac. As such, there have been few changes to the video-streaming set-top box since its introduction in 2008.

In June, Engadget was told by some unnamed sources that a makeover for the device was coming--including a smaller footprint, iOS 4, the A4 chip, 1080p playback, 16GB of storage, and a $99 price tag.

On Wednesday, Engadget released updated expectations, citing the same sources, reporting that the same features are planned, with the exception of 1080p playback. The new Apple TV will not upgrade to 1080p, after all, but will continue to output 720p video, which matches the current capabilities of iTunes video. An iTunes-streaming service is expected to accompany its introduction.

But the report also includes some other interesting tidbits: that the device will have access to apps, like the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, something long been rumored and expected.

Perhaps more intriguing: Apple TV is getting a new name, according to the report. Well, an old new name. Apparently, Apple is rechristening the device iTV, which was the original name for Apple TV when it was first introduced.

Apple declined to comment.

While it's safe to say it's unusual for Apple to be so noncommittal on the name of a product that's already been shipped, Apple TV is a special case/"hobby." … Read more

Verizon could get Entourage Edge

On Monday, I relayed some hot gossip about Verizon's Android device roadmap for the rest of the year. The Boy Genius had originally uncovered the information, and I added new details that I received independently from someone in the know. I apologize, however, for making a mistake when reading my notes on the carrier's upcoming Android-powered tablets. Please find the correct dish below.

The Samsung P1 tablet, which is due in September, will not have the dual tablet/e-book reader design that I mentioned in my first blog. Instead, Verizon should offer the Entourage Edge dual book sometime … Read more

Apple planning mid-September music event?

The now-annual Apple September music event is happening, but the exact date is still to be determined, according to a report by AllThingsD.

On Wednesday AllThingsD said it is hearing from several sources that the traditionally iPod-and-iTunes-focused event will take place "closer to mid-September."

Since the first one in 2005, the event has been held around the second week of September, usually the week following Labor Day. A rumor circulated last week that Apple was planning to completely change things up and hold the event next week. That appears even more unlikely now.

Apple declined to comment on … Read more

First look at HTC Desire HD

Rumored for an October release, the HTC Desire HD made an appearance over the weekend. The smartphone, which also carries a code name of "Ace," is expected to run Android 2.2 and feature a 4.3-inch touch screen, a 1GHz processor, and an 8-megapixel camera. Other details include 4GB internal memory, HD video playback, XviD video support, SRS surround sound, and a uni-body aluminum case.

The first glimpse of the phone came in the form of a leaked image (translated), which showed only the front of the device. As expected, it looks very similar to Sprint's … Read more

Lots of Android on Verizon's leaked roadmap

Boy Genius offered a load of dish Monday on Verizon Wireless' roadmap through 2010 and 2011. Some of the rumored devices we've heard about already, but not everything has been discussed before. According to the tipster, Verizon will have a Motorola Droid Pro global phone by November, two other global handsets from Samsung and HTC, a Moto Android device that will resemble the company's long-departed Q smartphone, and Android-powered tablets from Motorola and Verizon. And on the 4G front, Boy Genius predicts that Verizon will have LTE service across 75 percent of the country by April 2012 and … Read more

FaceTime camera for next iPod Touch?

Could the iPod Touch be getting the same FaceTime camera as the iPhone 4?

Some new images sent to the blog MacRumors make a case for it at least. On Thursday, MacRumors posted images of what looks like the front assembly, including LCD screen and bezel, of a new version of the iPod Touch sent to it by an iPhone part supplier.

The parts are stamped with markings that lend some authenticity that they are actual Apple parts, though these kinds of images tend to start circulating before any upcoming Apple announcement. Some do end up being accurate, but as … Read more

Motorola Sage could be next AT&T Android phone

Judging by recent leaks and tips, the next Android phone for AT&T could be the Motorola Sage. First spotted in the FCC last week, the quad-band device appears to support AT&T's 850 and 1900MHz bands in addition to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Assisted-GPS, and EDGE. Over the next few days, a handful of images emerged showing the Sage and its sliding QWERTY form factor, looking much like the T-Mobile Cliq.

If you are familiar with Motorola's Android handsets so far, you'll likely recognize shades of T-Mobile's Cliq XT and the keyboard on AT&… Read more

Samsung to battle iPod Touch with Android

For all you Android fans out there who wouldn't be caught dead with an Apple product, the folks at Samsung seem to be working on an iPod Touch alternative based around Android. The YP-MB2 shown above bears the markings of Samsung's longstanding line of YEPP portable media players, with a dash of touch-screen UI goodness from the company's Samsung Galaxy S Android smartphones.

Currently listed for sale from South Korea's Daum store (shipping there August 11), the YP-MB2 is spec'd to include a 1GHz processor, Wi-Fi, FM radio, DMB TV, GPS, and a 4-inch Super … Read more

Droid 2 all but officially confirmed with Froyo

The final pieces of the Droid 2 puzzle are falling into place, confirming early rumors of Android 2.2 and an August release. The last few days have seen a mix of official documents and internal resources leaked, all which point to a Froyo-powered superphone expected in the coming weeks.

To kick things off Thursday, Droid Life posted pages from the official Droid 2 user manual uncovered. Though there's no direct mention of Android 2.2 in the guide, some pages show various screens of the device. Astute readers will notice that the Google search widget on Page 10 … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 9: Data theft disguised as a wallpaper (podcast)

A wallpaper app that steals your personal info, piracy controls coming to the Android Marketplace, and a look into the world of Android gaming. Plus, Jeff Bakalar shares an awesome tip on creating itineraries for Google Maps Navigation, and Jessica Dolcourt helps us pronounce the death of the Android phone that started it all.

Updated: The wallpaper app discussed in this episode has since been cleared of any wrong-doing by Google itself. More details on that here.