propeller

Google is working on a social-news magazine that will be accessible on the iPad and Android devices, according to reports.

"Mind-blowing good," is how digital pundit and blogger Robert Scoble said a source of his described it in a post late on Wednesday on Google+.

Google representatives did not respond to a CNET request for comment. However, AllThingsD confirmed the news from several sources and reported this evening that Propeller is the name of Google's attempt at making a "Flipboard killer."

The news comes at a time when the social-publishing arena is heating up, with … Read more

On today's show, why horny Amish guys shouldn't sext while driving their horse and buggies and why somewhere in the world, Martin Short is currently clenching his butt cheeks. Yep, it's a Donald Bell show. Also, ISPs are adopting graduated responses to piracy and Apple gets a patent that may or may not be broad depending on how you define "N."

AT&T has launched another one of its six messaging handsets that debuted at CTIA 2009. In addition to the LG Xenon, you can now get the Samsung Propel Pro for $149.99 with a two-year contract.

The Propel Pro is a lot like the Samsung Propel, with a slider form factor and full QWERTY keyboard, but the Pro is designed more for business users and adds Windows Mobile 6.1 along with a toned-down look that's more appropriate for the board room. The smartphone certainly dazzles with its chrome finish, but does it shine from the inside … Read more

Getting a jump-start on CTIA 2009, AT&T Wireless announced on Sunday night the upcoming availability of two messaging-centric smartphones: the Nokia E71x and Samsung Propel Pro.

The two devices are expected to be in stores and online in the coming weeks, joining the carrier's four other new releases, the Samsung Impression, the Samsung Magnet, the LG Neon, and the LG Xenon.

The Nokia E71x has long been rumored for AT&T and is largely like the unlocked Nokia E71, which we reviewed in July.

The AT&T version comes in a sleek black and is … Read more

The Samsung Propel is yet another messaging phone from AT&T, and it's in the form of a slim slider handset. The Propel has quite a lot to offer feature-wise--3G/HSDPA, a 1.3-megapixel camera, a music player, stereo Bluetooth, a microSD card slot, and of course access to AT&T's array of 3G services, such as AT&T Mobile Music, Cellular Video, and more.

However, we weren't too thrilled with the rather pedestrian design and the flat and slippery keyboard left something to be desired. Check out our slide show and our review of the Samsung Propel … Read more

Samsung announced a new cell phone Tuesday that appears to take aim at the recently announced LG Lotus for Sprint and the Verizon Wireless Blitz. The Samsung Propel SGH-A767, which is bound for AT&T later this month, is a slider phone with a square shape that hides a full QWERTY keyboard. This isn't a true smartphone, so there's no Outlook Exchange support, but you can text and IM on the Propel to your heart's content. Web-based POP3 e-mail support will be available as well.

Other features on the 3G phone include AT&T Navigator, … Read more

Propeller, AOL's social-news site that's never really managed to catch on, has a brand new look Tuesday. It's the third major rehaul since the service was launched as Netscape.com in mid-2006. Gone are the drab blacks, greens, and oranges from the Netscape.com days along with the teeny, tiny text that made me reach for the Ctrl+ shortcut in my browser. In its place is a more retro scheme with vibrant colors and a banana-shaped mustached mascot.

That's not the biggest change though. The old voting system that mimicked Digg's one vote per user … Read more

Normally we don't report acquisition news, but this one is pretty interesting. MSNBC has scooped up social news service Newsvine for an undisclosed amount. Both services are based out of Seattle and have been in talks for the last five months. Newsvine will continue to operate independently and serve up a mix of professionally produced and user-generated content, remaining a separate brand and entity from MSNBC.com. But content from Newsvine users could be making its way onto MSNBC.com in the near future.

This is a really solid deal for both parties. Newsvine and its users get a … Read more

Of all the days to relaunch its Digg clone, Netscape has funny timing. Propeller, the new face and name of the otherwise identical social news service, went live today. As we wrote about earlier this month, Netscape.com now redirects you to the cobranded AOL/Netscape start page that serves up a regular assortment of news stories and links, along with plugs for Propeller. Netscape.com and AOL.com users also get a new box with five of the most popular stories on Propeller.

The news comes the same day as a huge overhaul to Digg's user profile system. … Read more