Verizon Wireless opts to end handset exclusivity agreements (with a catch)

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi

Verizon Wireless announced this morning that their President and CEO, Lowell McAdam, has sent a letter to lawmakers on Capitol Hill announcing that “Effective immediately for small wireless carriers…any new exclusivity arrangement we enter with handset makers will last no longer than six months - for all manufacturers and all devices.” At first glance, that’s kind of a big deal. After all, handset exclusivity is something that can be very financially beneficial to a carrier (see AT&T and iPhone as one such example.) So here’s the thing, when you re-read that statement, you discover that this exclusivity thing will still be in effect as it pertains to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. It’s only the small wireless carriers, those with 500,000 customers or less, that will be able to pick up handsets that are exclusive to Verizon Wireless after a six-month period. Still, it’s better than nothing, but the cast majority of non-Verizon Wireless mobile customers won’t benefit from this news.

In other words, this is a blatant attempt by Verizon Wireless to look like the nice guy while the FCC and congressional inquiries into exclusive handset deals proceed. This isn’t much progress at all. It’s just a political play that we can guarantee wouldn’t have happened if lawmakers weren’t taking a peek behind the curtain. What’s more, Verizon is hoping that other carriers will follow their lead with this move, specifically AT&T with the iPhone.

You can see the entire letter after the break.

Click to continue reading Verizon Wireless opts to end handset exclusivity agreements (with a catch)

Read More | Verizon Policy Blog

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Microsoft to open retails stores next door to Apple Stores

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Microsoft

We do love ourselves a good battle, and it looks like Microsoft is ready to start putting their dukes up against the super popular Apple retail stores. Not only is Microsoft going to be opening up their own branded retail stores, they are going to put some stories “right next door to Apple stores” this fall. Oh yes, it’s on.

At first glance, you may be wondering what cool, eye-pleasing toys Microsoft would have to even lure people in to their stores. I mean, isn’t almost every consumer electronics store a “Microsoft Store?” Well, it’s all in the approach. We know that the Zune HD will be released this fall. We know that the Xbox 360 will have a nice dashboard update this fall that will bring with it a host of new social features, there’s the Microsoft Surface tabletop, Xbox 360 games, Project Natal, etc. If Microsoft uses some of these popular items as cornerstones for their retail presence, and even allows the chance to get first-looks at some of these things, they may be on to something.

We are ready for the war.

Read More | Business Insider via Giz

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (1)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

YOBI.tv, American Idol Online

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Movies, Music

Want to be a star but don’t think you can handle being one of thousands auditioning? YOBI.tv is sort of an American Idol competition online with actual cash. Winners also receive such goodies as VIP tickets to Sundance 2010, the Grammys 2010 and a major comedy film. Singers, comedians, filmmakers and photographers all get an equal shot. You can go to their site to vote for their semi-finalists or enter yourself as they also give weekly prizes.

(Thanks, Elyssa)

Read More | YOBI

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

RITI Printer Runs on Coffee Grounds

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Peripherals

Joen Hwan Ju’s RITI Printer runs on used coffee grounds or tea leaves. To use the eco-friendly device, one places the leftovers in the ink case on the top, inserts a piece of paper, then moves the case left and right and the image is printed. Joen mentions that another perk is that you will get the smell of the beverage, which undoubtedly would be closer to aromatherapy than your basic ink. The idea is nice but we’re not so sure about the time to print and clean-up afterwards. Joen’s prototype is part of core77’s Greener Gadgets Design Competition.

Read More | Core 77

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Nokia Music Almighty Competition

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Music

Think you can design a cool set of headphones? Nokia is sponsoring the Music Almighty Contest. Download a “Style Palette” or “Freestyle” template and come up with your creation. You can alter the color, add graphics, and drag and drop components. Five winners get to go to the UK to see their designs become realities. The deadline is Dec. 31. If you want to see some of your competition, head over to their gallery.

Read More | Nokia

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Electrolux iBasket

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Household, Misc. Tech

Anything that shortens our clothes washing chores is fine with us. Guopeng Liang designed the iBasket for the Electrolux 2008 Design Lab Competition. Hamper-shaped, the prototype automatically washes once there is enough weight in it. With a wireless connection, it has a remote monitor and control of wash cycle frequency by PC and IM notification to PC or mobile device when your clothes are done. We only hope the final product won’t be transparent so we are forced to see our dirty laundry.

Read More | tuvie

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Polaroid to Make Digital Cams

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Corporate News

Polaroid has decided to go back to what it does best, instant printing cameras. The digital cam will have an on-board printer for 4x3-inch prints, their original image size. Amateur Photographer is holding a competition for the company to help design it by asking 6 questions, such as whether you think it should have an external battery for extended printing. The competitions ends August 31. We assume you have to be a real photobug for this one because as far as we could tell, the prize is knowing that you contributed.

Read More | Amateur Photographer

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Robotic Foosball Table

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Science, Toys

Foosball players that can’t find enough competition can rejoice in the fact that they can now play against a robo-player. Engineering students from the Univ. of Adelaide won an award for their mechatronics project that took 8 months to complete. The system consists of a motions sensor system, software for decision making, and an actuation system for control manipulation. The 4 sets of rods can move side to side and rotate for kicking. The winners were sponsored by Sage Didatic and supported by Rockwell Automation.

Read More | Rockwell Automation

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Annual Stupid Robot Contest

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories:

Robotic competitions are not limited to those with agility and practicality. Meiwa Electronics sponsors the annual Stupid Robot Contest. Entries must be mechanical, useless, and make people laugh. Papa Robopucho plays the red-flag white-flag game solo, then topples over and cries for help. We’re not sure what the baby ones do. Previous contestants included a chorus of preggers wifebots. While we don’t really find that the most amusing of robotic entrants, we suppose there is just no accounting for taste.

Read More | Tokyo Mango

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (1)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Enter RoboGames This Year

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science

If you are the type to keep up on robotics competitions, (and we are,) then you know that the next RoboGames (formerly the RobOlympics,) is coming up June 12 through 15 in San Francisco. With over 70 different events, including combat robots, walking humanoids, and soccer bots, the competition comes from all over the planet. You can get a ticket for $20.00 a day to watch the event, but if you have ever thought about participating, there is still time to get in on the action. Purchase a RoboNova kit and build your own android for $999.99 or get one that is pre-assembled for $1,199.00.

(Thanks, Mike)

Read More | RoboGames

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (1)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story