Poll: Spotify tops two million premium subscribers — are you one?

The competition may be nabbing most of the headlines these days , but Spotify’s got some good news of its own to report. We just got word that the streaming music service has passed two million premium subscribers internationally. We attempted to get some clarification on just how many of those are based in the US, but the company doesn’t break down such numbers by country. Still, it’s a positive note for companies trying to monetize such services in the face of increasing free offerings. So, are you one in two million? Take the poll and tell us why — or why not — in the comments below. View Poll Poll: Spotify tops two million premium subscribers — are you one? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:31:00 EDT.

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Poll: Spotify tops two million premium subscribers — are you one?

IRL: WildBlue satellite internet, international charging, a flashing habit and failing to get work done on an iPad

Welcome to IRL , an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we’re using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. It’s been a whirlwind two weeks of sitting inside concept cars, soaking up details about the PlayStation Vita and getting acquainted with Windows 8, and now that it’s all wound down, we’re getting back to the business of griping about gadgets we already own. This week, Darren dresses down the satellite service we used to hit posts in the wilderness, Tim takes a breather after a year of jet-setting, Joseph carries on his flashing streak and as for Joe, well, let’s just say his honeymoon with the iPad has come to a sudden, unproductive end. Continue reading IRL: WildBlue satellite internet, international charging, a flashing habit and failing to get work done on an iPad IRL: WildBlue satellite internet, international charging, a flashing habit and failing to get work done on an iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Game on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G ready at AT&T for $50

Just over four months after the unique device hit Verizon stores, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G has now made it past AT&T’s front door and onto shelves nationwide. The unique factor on this particular version of the ” PlayStation Phone ” is the inclusion of 14.4Mbps HSPA+ — with enhanced backhaul, naturally — and will be the first PlayStation-Certified smartphone on AT&T’s network. At $50, the pricing is certainly competitive since it ships with Android 2.3.3, a 1GHz single-core CPU, Adreno 205 GPU, 4-inch 854 x 480 display, and seven pre-loaded games. At a full $150 less than Big Red’s launch price , the carrier may move a few units. If you’re one of those that could be persuaded, head to the source link and get your shopping on. Game on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G ready at AT&T for $50 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Game on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G ready at AT&T for $50

Just over four months after the unique device hit Verizon stores, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G has now made it past AT&T’s front door and onto shelves nationwide. The unique factor on this particular version of the ” PlayStation Phone ” is the inclusion of 14.4Mbps HSPA+ — with enhanced backhaul, naturally — and will be the first PlayStation-Certified smartphone on AT&T’s network. At $50, the pricing is certainly competitive since it ships with Android 2.3.3, a 1GHz single-core CPU, Adreno 205 GPU, 4-inch 854 x 480 display, and seven pre-loaded games. At a full $150 less than Big Red’s launch price , the carrier may move a few units. If you’re one of those that could be persuaded, head to the source link and get your shopping on. Game on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G ready at AT&T for $50 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:39:00 EDT.

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Game on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G ready at AT&T for $50

Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video)

Sure, OS X Lion borrowed many of its design cues from Apple’s iOS platform, but now users of jailbroken iPhone and iPod Touch devices may bring much of the desktop Mac’s functionality onto their handset with Lion Ultimatum. In essence, this beta project is a theme for Dreamboard (which is required software), but it’s rather far-reaching, with a functional file manager and Finder menus, a scrollable dock and draggable windows, along with Stacks, Launchpad, Mission Control and Dashboard. There’s also a customizable lock screen that provides access to the dialer, email and messages. Even the keyboard can be modified to resemble the design of MacBook Pro or the traditional Apple Keyboard, thanks to integration with ColorKeyboard. If you’re thirsty for more, hop the break for an extended video preview, or just follow the source for the full install instructions. [Thanks, Adam] Continue reading Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video) Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video)

Sure, OS X Lion borrowed many of its design cues from Apple’s iOS platform, but now users of jailbroken iPhone and iPod Touch devices may bring much of the desktop Mac’s functionality onto their handset with Lion Ultimatum. In essence, this beta project is a theme for Dreamboard (which is required software), but it’s rather far-reaching, with a functional file manager and Finder menus, a scrollable dock and draggable windows, along with Stacks, Launchpad, Mission Control and Dashboard. There’s also a customizable lock screen that provides access to the dialer, email and messages. Even the keyboard can be modified to resemble the design of MacBook Pro or the traditional Apple Keyboard, thanks to integration with ColorKeyboard. If you’re thirsty for more, hop the break for an extended video preview, or just follow the source for the full install instructions. [Thanks, Adam] Continue reading Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video) Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds

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Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video)

Refresh Roundup: week of September 12, 2011

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy! Official Android updates The HTC Merge on US Cellular can now be bumped up to Android 2.3.4. It appears to be a manual install, so visit here to download the file and learn exactly how to update your device. [via UnwiredView ] HTC has added another device to its growing list of phones and tablets that now support the HTCDev bootloader unlock tool.

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Refresh Roundup: week of September 12, 2011

Honeywell and Opower team up for cloud-connected smart thermostat

Normally we wouldn’t get too excited about a thermostat , even a so-called smart one. But, unlike what normally passes for a “smart” home heating solution, Honeywell’s upcoming touchscreen devices are going to be paired with some real brains courtesy of Opower. Details of the partnership are still a little thin, but we do know that customers will be able to program and monitor energy usage, not just from the thermostat itself but, via internet connected devices like smartphones. Opower will even provide suggestions for trimming energy bills. The first trials are expected to begin in the next few months through utility companies, but Honeywell eventually expects to offer the devices through broader retail channels. Check out the full PR after the break. Continue reading Honeywell and Opower team up for cloud-connected smart thermostat Honeywell and Opower team up for cloud-connected smart thermostat originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 06:29:00 EDT

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Honeywell and Opower team up for cloud-connected smart thermostat

Windows 8 on a laptop in-depth preview (video)

Less than 24 hours after it went live on Microsoft’s site, Steve Ballmer reported a whopping 500,000 downloads of Windows 8 Developer Preview. That’s half a million copies, if not eager Windows fans. Well, you can count us among them. Although we were treated to some private hands-on time with a tablet optimized for the OS, we hadn’t, until now, had a chance to use it on a laptop — i.e., the computing environment where we spend most of our time, and the one where we’re most used to seeing Windows, in particular. For the past three days, we’ve been doing just that: getting acquainted with Windows 8 using the good ‘ol mouse-and-keyboard combo. And while that might read like a redundant statement (what recent version of Windows hasn’t accommodated a cursor?), Win 8 is a peculiar breed — It’s the first version of the operating system where finger input wasn’t an afterthought, but a first-class citizen. It’s clear that this time around, Windows is optimized for touch, but we had to wonder if that Windows Phone-inspired UI would present a steep learning curve, if it would get in the way while we tried to go about business as usual. So how’s that working out for us?

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Windows 8 on a laptop in-depth preview (video)

Engadget Mobile Podcast 104 – 09.16.2011

Manufacturers and service providers are really kicking it up a notch this week! AT&T will hit us with a big dose of speed on Sunday, Microsoft had a slew of mixed/delicious news for us at Build, and HTC’s got its hands in a liiiiiitttttle bit of everything, from releases to maybe OS acquisitions. We’ll lay it all out for you here, with an added touch of Volpe to round things out, on the Engadget Mobile Podcast. Host: Myriam Joire ( tnkgrl ), Brad Molen Guest: Joseph Volpe Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Daestro – Light Powered ( Ghostly International ) 00:01:19 – Samsung Epic 4G Touch review 00:22:48 – AT&T to officially deploy its LTE network September 18th 00:27:18 – AT&T announces Windows Phone Mango lineup coming this fall, existing devices to be updated 00:30:28 – RIM’s Q2 earnings report: $329 million in net income, not enough to fend off critics 00:40:17 – HTC Bliss to be called the Rhyme, launching September 20? 00:45:39 – HTC Runnymede and Bliss details sneak out from leak-town 00:57:58 – HTC chairwoman Cher Wang: we might buy a mobile OS, if it feels right 01:05:20 – Motorola Admiral outed as mystery Sprint Direct Connect device, strikes a pose for the camera 01:09:55 – Motorola Electrify coming to US Cellular this month as a rebranded Photon 4G 01:10:50 – LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video) 01:13:39 – Sprint axes Premier program, no more annual upgrades for Gold customers 01:20:50 – Ballmer: Windows Phones aren’t selling very well, but we’re not worried 01:29:00 – Listener questions Hear the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [ iTunes ] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes [ RSS MP3 ] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically [ RSS AAC ] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator [ Zune ] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast podcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com. Follow us on Twitter @tnkgrl @phonewisdom @engadgetmobile @jrvolpe Engadget Mobile Podcast 104 – 09.16.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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